The low pressure area (LPA) being monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) northeast of Luzon has intensified into a tropical cyclone on Thursday morning.
The tropical storm was given a local name of “Enteng,” the first tropical cyclone to form inside the country’s area of responsibility this month and fifth this year.
Before yesterday noon, Enteng was at 730 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
It is forecast to move northeast at 19 kph.
PAGASA said Enteng is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains over Pangasinan, La Union and Benguet.
It warned residents in these provinces of possible floods and landslides due to rains brought by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon.
Should it maintain its current speed and direction, Enteng will leave the country’s area of responsibility by Friday.
The storm is expected at 1,120 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Friday morning and at 1,275 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by Saturday morning.
This Friday, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. (Ellalyn de Vera)