Dindo exits PAR, now on way to China; Habagat to bring rains over Batanes, Babuyan

Severe Tropical Storm Dindo (international name: Hagupit) exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday morning, PAGASA said in its severe weather bulletin.

Dindo has slightly intensified as it moves northwest toward the East China Sea. It may make landfall over Zhejiang Province in China on Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to affect parts of Luzon.

The monsoon will bring occasional rains over Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA raised a gale warning over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboards of Central Luzon. Coastal waters in these areas will be rough to very rough, with waves reaching as tall as 4.5 meters.

Small seacraft were advised to take precautions as coastal waters in other seaboards of Luzon will be moderate to rough.

PAGASA said Dindo exited PAR at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., it was located 555 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes. Dindo had maximum sustained winds of up to 100 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 125 km/h, and was moving north northwest at 15 km/h.

Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) located 450 km east southeast of Davao City.

The LPA, which is less likely to intensify into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours, may bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Caraga and the Davao Region. —KG, GMA News