Fabian enhances Habagat as it moves over Philippine Sea

Tropical Depression Fabian was observed to maintain its strength and enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) on Saturday as it moves north northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin.

From Fabian's center, strong winds are expected to extend outwards up to 200 km, the state weather bureau said.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals were raised.

At 10 a.m., the center of Fabian was located at 1,245 km east of Extreme Northern Luzon (20.8°N, 133.9°E).

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPA, PAGASA said.

Fabian was moving at 15 km/h in a north northwestward direction. It is forecast to remain far from the country's landmass.

The tropical depression is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday evening or Tuesday morning as it moves towards Japan's Ryukyu Islands. Fabian may also intensify and become a tropical storm within 12 hours, and become a typhoon by Tuesday morning.

PAGASA said monsoon rains enhanced by Fabian are expected over Palawan and Occidental Mindoro within 24 hours. These may be moderate to at times heavy rains.

Flash floods or rain-induced landslides may occur in areas susceptible to these hazards during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

As to coastal waters, the weather bureau said in the next 24 hours, Fabian "remains less likely to cause sea conditions within the coastal waters of the country which may be risky to mariners of any type of sea vessel."

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to take the necessary precautions, especially in areas susceptible to hazards.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 5 p.m. Saturday. —KG, GMA News