Tropical depression “Marilyn” maintained its strength as it enhances the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” bringing light to moderate rains across the country, the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
PAGASA weather specialist Lorie dela Cruz said Marilyn has no direct effect on the country’s landmass but it is now enhancing the southwest monsoon, affecting most parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The center of the tropical depression was spotted 1,054 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph at noon yesterday.
PAGASA said Marilyn has slowed down and now moving northwest at 10 kph.
PAGASA forecast track shows that Marilyn is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow night. However it may re-enter the country on Wednesday.
According to PAGASA, Marilyn is still less likely to make landfall in any part of country throughout the forecast period but it will continue enhancing the habagat. (Alexandria San Juan)
