MANILA — A new tropical depression enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat was spotted off Batanes province Friday and expected to bring heavy rains in Luzon.
In its latest forecast, state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said as of 3:00 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression “Ester” was estimated based at 320 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes.
It has maximum winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h. It is moving northeast at 13 km/h. “Ester” is enhancing the southwest monsoon which has been bringing heavy rains in most parts of Luzon since last week.
At a press briefing early Friday, Ezra Bulquerin, Pagasa weather specialist, said “Ester” is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight or tomorrow morning. He said “Ester” has a possibility to become a tropical storm as it moves outside PAR.
In its 8 a.m. heavy rainfall warning update, Pagasa said heavy rains with lightning and strong winds due to thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila, provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas in the next three hours.
The regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, provinces of Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan and Zambales will continue to experience rain showers due to the southwest monsoon.
Residents in these areas are warned against possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to occasional heavy rains.
Fishermen are advised against going out into the sea as coastal waters in northern Luzon and the western section of central Luzon will be rough to very rough. (PNA)
