By Alec Go
Heavy rains may be experienced in northern Luzon starting Saturday following the entry of a tropical depression east of northern Luzon into the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday noon, Oct. 13.
The tropical depression was given its local name ‘Neneng’. As of 4:00 p.m., it was 1,030 kilometers (km) east of extreme northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said ‘Neneng’ may reach storm category by Saturday before making a landfall.
“Ito (track) ay bahagyang susubsob at binabantayan din natin ang possibility na magkaroon ng mas malalim o mas mababa pang track nito at maaaring mahagip itong mainland Cagayan,” weather forecaster Raymond Ordinario said.
“Malaki ang tyansa nito na tumama sa Batanes area o bumaybay malapit dito sa Batanes area,” he added.
No tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised as of press time.
PAGASA said wind signals may be hoisted as early as Friday morning or afternoon over the eastern portion of northern Luzon, with signal no. 2 being the most likely highest signal hoisted.
A gale warning is currently in effect over the seabords of Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales.
Meanwhile, the tropical depression 210 km north-northwest of Palawan or outside PAR will continue to move farther away.
