The low-pressure area (LPA) spotted east of the Bicol region on Tuesday afternoon intensified into a tropical depression but state weather forecasters said it is not yet a threat to the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical depression, codenamed Domeng, is expected to move west-northwest.
"Masyado pa pong malayo para maka-apekto sa anumang panig ng ating bansa (It is still too far to affect any part of the country)," PAGASA forecaster Juanito Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio.
PAGASA said Domeng was still too far to affect any part of the country and did not raise any storm signal as of Tuesday evening.
As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, Domeng was estimated at 500 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum winds of 45 kph near the center. Domeng is forecast to move west-northwest at 7 kph.
By Wednesday afternoon it is expected to be 390 kms east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. By Thursday afternoon it is expected to be 300 kms northeast of Virac, Catanduanes. By Friday afternoon it is expected to be 330 kms north of Virac, Catanduanes.
PAGASA said another LPA was spotted 950 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
"Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening," PAGASA said.
Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northwest will prevail over the Northern and Eastern section of Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.
Light to moderate winds blowing from the Northwest to West will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and from the Northwest to Southwest over Mindanao with slight to moderate seas.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) advised disaster coordinating councils at the local levels to prepare for Domeng.
NDCC executive officer Benito Ramos said disaster coordinating councils should disseminate updates to media including local radio stations.
"Let's untiringly aim for zero casualties," he said in a memorandum to regional and provincial disaster coordinating councils in all regions. - with Mark Dalan Merueñas/KBK,
