Dodong maintains strength over West Philippine Sea; signals lifted

Tropical Depression Dodong maintained its strength as it continued to move over the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, according to PAGASA's bulletin.

All Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals have been lifted, it added.

At 4 a.m., Dodong's eye was estimated to be located at 270 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa, PAGASA said.

Dodong is moving westward at 20 km/h.

From Dodong's center, strong winds are extending outwards up to 310 km.

Rainfall

The tropical depression is expected to bring 50-100 mm of rain over La Union and Pangasinan on Saturday.

PAGASA said flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur, especially in areas prone to these hazards and in areas that had considerable amounts of rainfall in the past few days.

Winds

Dodong is enhancing the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which may bring gusty conditions over the following areas, especially in coastal areas as well as upland and mountainous areas exposed to winds:

• Sunday: Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the southern portion of Quezon.
• Monday: Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and Antique.

A gale warning is in effect over the western seaboards of Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan due to the influence of Dodong and the monsoon.

Track, intensity look

"DODONG is forecast to move generally northwestward today before turning west northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period," PAGASA said.

PAGASA said Dodong is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between Saturday afternoon and Sunday early morning.

The tropical depression may also intensify while over the West Philippine Sea, become a tropical storm on Saturday, and may further develop into a typhoon on Monday.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. —KG, GMA Integrated News