Pagasa: LPA strengthens into Tropical Depression ‘Perla’

MANILA, Philippines — A new low-pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Baler, Aurora on Wednesday has intensified into a tropical depression bearing the local name “Perla,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced.

The LPA spotted at 3 a.m. developed into a tropical depression at 8 a.m., Pagasa said in its 11 a.m advisory.

READ: Pagasa: LPA spotted east of Baler, Aurora

It added that “Perla” is currently moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (kph) and is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The center of the tropical depression was estimated to be spotted at 1,190 kilometers east of Baler or 1,120 kilometers east of Casiguran as of 10 a.m.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is affecting any part of the country as of the moment, according to Pagasa, but “Perla” may bring adverse weather condition over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Apayao starting Friday evening or Saturday morning.

It is also less likely to intensify into a tropical storm within the forecast period, said Pagasa.

Pagasa warns that sea travel is risky especially for small sea vessels, over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon due to potentially rough conditions at sea associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow.

With its current movement, “Perla” is expected to be located 830 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan on Thursday morning. /muf