A potential storm approaching the Philippines has intensified into a tropical depression but is not likely to make landfall.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the cyclone, to be named "Katring" once it enters Philippine territory, is only expected "graze" or pass lightly over Northern Luzon.
On Wednesday, PAGASA said a potential cyclone that could become as powerful as super typhoon "Juan" may enter Philippine territory this weekend.
Once the potential cyclone is inside Philippine territory and intensifies into a cyclone, it will be codenamed "Katring," PAGASA said.
"Cyclone" is the general term for a large-scale system of winds that spiral in toward a region of low atmospheric pressure.
A tropical cyclone forms over warm tropical waters. It can range in intensity from a tropical depression to a hurricane.
Tropical cyclone "Juan" devastated Northern Luzon this week, killing at least 26 people and causing more than P7 billion in damage to property.
"Karamihan (ng modelo natin) ang sabi dadaan lang ito sa gilid ng Luzon. Sa ngayon depression pa lang siya sa dagat, malaking posiblidad lalakas pa ito ," PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio.
(Most of our models show it will not make landfall and it will just graze Luzon. It is now a tropical depression but is likely to gain strength as it is still at sea.)
Quitlong said the potential storm is due to enter Philippine territory on Saturday.
On the other hand, he said it is not likely "Katring" and "Juan" will be in Philippine territory at the same time.
"Tamang tama naman si 'Juan' magla-landfall sa may China, di na sila mag-aabot (By the time 'Katring' is in Philippine territory, 'Juan' would already be in China. They are not likely to interact with each other)," he said.
Juan still threat to Luzon
Quitlong, however, said "Juan" remains a threat to Northern Luzon as its winds can still cause big waves and strong winds.
"Paalala sa mangingisda diyan huwag tayo pumalaot at very risky pa pumalaot lalo kung maliit na bangka ang sakay natin masyadong mabagal kaya naapektuhan ng high-pressure area," he said.
(We remind fishermen not to venture out to sea because it is still too risky especially if they are riding small boats. A high-pressure area is keeping 'Juan' from moving further away from the Philippines.)
Heavy rains also fell on parts of Metro Manila early Friday.
As of 2:00 a.m., the center of "Juan" was estimated at 420 kilometers (kms) northwest of Laoag City with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.
It is forecast to move north-northeast at 7 kph.
"Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the western sections of Northern Luzon and the coastals waters along these areas will be rough.
Moderate to strong winds from the Southwest to South will prevail over the rest of Luzon with moderate to rough seas.
Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the Southwest with slight to moderate seas.
Disaster management officials on red alert
Disaster management officials remained on red alert for the possible entry of a potential cyclone this coming weekend.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said contingency measures are in place for the cyclone, to be named "Katring" once it enters the country.
"Narito pa rin, naka-in place ang defense mechanism. Hindi pa kami nagbaba, we are still on red alert. Ready pa kami kung pumasok ang 'Katring' (Our defense mechanisms are still in place. We have not stood down from red alert in preparation for 'Juan.' We will be ready when 'Katring' comes)," NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said in an interview on dzBB radio.
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Earlier, Ramos said they managed to minimize casualties by preparing the public at least 72 hours before Typhoon Juan slammed Northern Luzon early this week.
NDRMMC had prepared for Juan by continuously issuing updates on its status, and prodding local officials to make preparations.
This developed as President Benigno Aquino III mobilized government into action for the possible onslaught of another howler.
State-run Philippines News Agency quoted Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officer-in-charge Graciano Yumul Jr. as saying that Aquino ordered concerned agencies to be prepared.
"He already told authorities on the ground to prepare for this eventuality," Yumul said.
PAGASA forecasters earlier said that while Juan had exited Philippine territory, it is still affecting some parts of the country.
On Thursday, forecaster Robert Sawi said the heavy rains in parts of Luzon were due to the tailend of Juan.
Rains over parts of Luzon had caused floods in Tarlac province, forcing the evacuation of several families in La Paz town there. The town was subsequently placed under a state of calamity. — RSJ/VVP
