By Brian Campued
The low pressure area (LPA), one of three weather disturbances being monitored by the state weather bureau, has developed into a tropical depression Tuesday afternoon and was given the local name “Dante”.
In its 5:00 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the eye of Tropical Depression Dante was last monitored 1,130 km east of Northern Luzon.
It packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph while moving north-northwestward at 20 kph.
PAGASA, however, has not yet hoisted any Wind Signal in the country.
Based on the track forecast, Dante may intensify into tropical storm strength by Wednesday, July 23, as it moves over the Philippine Sea and towards the Ryukyu Islands and the East China Sea.
“Bukas ng hapon ay inaasahan natin ito na halos kikilos ito na pahilaga… sa layong 990 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief, Engr. Chris Perez said in a public briefing.
It may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, July 24, or Friday, July 25, according to PAGASA.
While it is not forecast to make landfall or have significant effect over the Philippine landmass, Dane will still enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), which will drench most of Luzon and parts of Visayas until Friday.
“Sa ganitong mga panahon kapag may bagyo tayo na nandito sa Karagatang Pasipiko at hindi nagla-landfall—bagkus kumikilos either patungo sa dulong hilagang Luzon, patungo sa Taiwan, or dito sa northern boundary ng ating area of responsibility—very favorable ‘yan para patuloy na mapag-ibayo ang habagat na siyang magpapaulan sa ating bansa,” Perez explained.
Torrential rains are expected over Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro until Wednesday afternoon, while up to intense rains are forecast in Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.
Moderate to heavy rains will persist over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental during the same period.
“Kung uulanin pa ito within the next 24 hours as well as within the next 48 to 72 hours, nandyan pa rin ang [banta] ng mga pagbaha sa low-lying areas, magiging mabagal ang paghupa ng mga baha, nandyan pa rin ‘yong posibleng pag-apaw ng mga ilog, at nandyan pa rin ang banta ng pagguho ng lupa,” Perez warned, urging residents to stay alert against possible hazards brought by continuous rains.
Meanwhile, one LPA is still being monitored inside the PAR 155 km east-southeast of Basco, Batanes. Another LPA, outside the PAR, was last spotted 2,705 km east of Eastern Visayas.
Both LPAs have “medium” potential for tropical cyclone formation within the next 24 hours.
“Ang senaryo natin dito sa low pressure area na malapit nga sa Northern Luzon, posibleng kumilos ito patungo sa extreme Northern Luzon, lumabas sa northwestern boundary ng ating area of responsibility, at dito pa lang sa West Philippine Sea siya magiging ganap na bagyo,” Perez said.
“Samantala, senaryo number 2, ay ia-absorb ito ng mas malakas na bagyong si Tropical Depression Dante.”
-jpv
