A tropical depression east of the country could enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Thursday, the government weather bureau said yesterday.
At 10 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) located the tropical depression at 1,615 kilometers east of Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph).
It is forecast to move slowly west-northwest at 9 kph.
PAGASA weather forecaster Fernando Cada said the tropical depression is still outside the PAR but if it maintains its current speed and direction, it may likely enter PAR by Thursday.
Cada clarified that the tropical depression is still far to affect the country.
Once it intensifies into a tropical storm, it will be given an international name of “Haishen,” a Chinese term meaning “God of Sea,” Cada said.
If it enters the PAR, he noted that the weather disturbance will be given a local name “Dodong,” the first tropical cyclone that may affect the country this month and the fourth this year.
“It is expected to move slowly within the next 36 hours. We are also looking at possible intensification within the next few days. As it stays longer over the sea, the tropical depression could intensify into tropical storm even before its entry into the PAR,” Cada said.
“By weekend, rains from the tropical cyclone could be felt in the eastern part of Southern and Central Luzon,” he added.
An average of one to two tropical cyclones usually affect the country in May.
Manila Bulletin
