‘Inday’ accelerates, maintains strength

Tropical storm “Inday” accelerated as it maintained its intensity Thursday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

The storm headed northeast at 25 kilometers per hour and is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said Inday has no direct effect toward the country but it would continue to strengthen the southwest monsoon affecting Luzon.

Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bataan, Zambales, Batanes, and Babuyan Group of Island will experience monsoon rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have occasional rains.

Inday was last spotted 1,025 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, blowing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.