By Ma. Cristina Arayata | Philippine News Agency
The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression on Monday, and is likely to enter PAR either late Wednesday or Thursday, the weather bureau said.
In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that once inside PAR, the tropical cyclone will be named “Kabayan”.
Several provinces in the Bicol region, Visayas, and Mindanao may experience heavy rainfall beginning Friday.
Wind signals could be hoisted over the eastern portions of the Visayas and Mindanao.
PAGASA forecasts “Kabayan” to reach the typhoon category, with a peak intensity of 120 km/h.
Further intensification before the cyclone’s close approach to Eastern Visayas is not ruled out.
The tropical depression was last tracked 1,540 km east of southeastern Mindanao.
It packs maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.
It is moving eastward at 20 km/h.
PAGASA, meanwhile, said the tropical cyclone could cause rough to very rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao beginning Thursday.