New storm dissipates as it enters PH

MANILA, Philippines–A storm threatening eastern Luzon this week is no longer expected to intensify into a typhoon, meteorologists said on Monday.

The tropical storm, internationally named “Bavi,” will enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday, heading toward the eastern section of Luzon.

It will be named “Betty” once inside the Philippine territory.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) will raise public storm warning signals Wednesday or Thursday, when eastern Luzon will start to experience stormy weather.

The areas in the storm’s path include the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera and Bicol and the provinces of Aurora and Quezon.

“The storm will either maintain its current strength or even weaken. It is no longer expected to intensify into a typhoon,” Pagasa meteorologist Aldczar Aurelio said.

While the storm’s center was about 1,700 kilometers away east of Bicol on Tuesday, the cyclone weakened to maximum sustained winds of 75 kph (from 85 kph the previous day) and gusts up to 90 kph (from 100 kph).

It picked up speed to 30 kph (from 20 kph) while moving westward toward Luzon.

Aurelio said the storm weakened due to the cold winds from the prevailing northeast monsoon and because surrounding strong winds dispersed the storm.

This will be the second cyclone to affect the country this year after Tropical Storm “Amang” (international name: Mekkhala), which battered the Samar and Leyte provinces and Bicol during Pope Francis’ visit last Jan. 15 to 19.

Pagasa records indicate that the country averages one to two cyclones during the month of March.