Tropical depression seen to enter PAR, to cause rains over northern PHL

The low pressure area west northwest of Batanes has developed into a tropical depression that is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday night or on Friday morning.

The tropical depression will be named Esther when it enters the PAR.

According to PAGASA's severe weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m. on Thursday, occasional rains with gusty winds will prevail over Batanes due to the approaching weather disturbance.

Moderate to occasional heavy rains are expected over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales and Bataan until the weekend as the tropical depression enhances the Southwest Monsoon.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains expected over Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas until the weekend.

"Residents of the aforementioned areas, especially those living near or in low-lying and mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible floodings and landslides, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates," PAGASA said.

Weather forecasters also said sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon.

"The Tropical Depression is expected to make landfall over Southern Taiwan between tonight and tomorrow morning," PAGASA said.

According to Mang Tani's report on "24 Oras", Metraweather said that the Southwest Monsoon is expected to cause rains over Central Luzon, portions of Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila.

Local thunderstorms are expected to bring rains over the Visayas and Mindanao.

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, the center of the tropical depression outside the PAR was estimated based on all available data at 335 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph and was moving east northeast at 15 kph.

PAGASA is also monitoring the LPA southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Norte. It has yet to have any effect on the country's weather. —NB, GMA News