TD Dodong slightly accelerates on northeast path

Tropical Depression Dodong has slightly accelerated while moving north-northeastward on Wednesday noon, according to PAGASA's latest update.

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA maintained that Dodong is not expected to make landfall and "has no direct impact on any part of the country."

However, due to the Southwest Monsoon, light to moderate monsoon rains with occasional heavy rains may affect MIMAROPA (Northern Palawan, Mindoro Provinces, Romblon and Marinduque); Western Visayas (Aklan, Antique, western Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental), and portions of Bicol Region (Masbate and western sections of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon) within the day.

Light to moderate monsoon rains with occasional heavy rains, meanwhile, may prevail over Metro Manila and the western portions of Central Luzon (Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan), MIMAROPA (Mindoro Provinces) and Western Visayas (Antique and western Aklan) on Thursday.

PAGASA said at 11 a.m., Dodong, which was moving north-northeast at 15 km/h,  was estimated at 705 km east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum winds of up to 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 60 km/h.

By Thursday morning, Dodong is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 1,380 km northeast of Basco, Batanes.

"The public and the disaster risk reduction and management council concerned are advised to take appropriate actions," PAGASA said. —KBK, GMA News