TD ‘Inday’ to Exit PAR on Friday

Manila (PNA) — Tropical depression “Inday” has maintained its strength and changed direction from northwest to west northwest, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Buddy Javier said that as of 4 a.m. tropical depression “Inday” was spotted 610 km east southeast of Basco, Batanes packed with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

He added that Inday is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph. If it maintains its speed and movement, Inday is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Friday morning and will move towards the direction of Taiwan.

Since Inday is still in the sea, it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm. It is not expected to hit or cross the Philippine landmass but will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” that will induce occasional rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol region, and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

The state weather bureau also issued gale warning — strong to gale force winds associated with the southwest monsoon enhanced by Inday will affect the eastern seaboard of Central, Southern Luzon and the Visayas and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” the agency said.

Meanwhile, Javier said they are also tracking another tropical storm outside the PAR.

He added the tropical storm is still too far and has small chance to enter the country but it will be named “Juan” once it enters PAR, the 10th tropical cyclone this year.

Three to four tropical cyclones are expected next month.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to west will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. (PNA) JBP/CLTC

Image Credit: PAGASA