‘Ineng’ develops into tropical storm
The tropical cyclone is expected to dump up to 50 millimeters of rainfall
Weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday revealed that the low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has developed into tropical depression “Ineng” on Tuesday night.
PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. update that the tropical storm was last spotted 930 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes and it packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kilometers per hour while moving slowly northwestward over the East Philippine Sea.
PAGASA specialist Benison Estareja also said in a statement that “Ineng” may intensify into a tropical storm on Thursday, but is less likely to make a landfall on any part of the country.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast track on the storm, “Ineng” is expected to be at 875 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora on Thursday morning and the tropical cyclone is expected to dump up to 50 millimeters of rainfall into the Bicol Region and up to 25 millimeters of rainfall in the rest of Southern Luzon, in Western Visayas and northern parts of Palawan and Mindoro.
The weather bureau also noted that should the storm keeps to its current track, the weather agency said “Ineng” will possibly exit PAR on Sunday morning, 25 August.
PAGASA also said that no tropical cyclone wind signals are raised as of Wednesday morning as “Ineng” remains far from the land and while the cyclone has no direct effect on the country for now, the outer rain bands of “Ineng” will bring light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.
A weak southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to affect Mimaropa and the rest of Visayas. PAGASA said the cyclone is not expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, the trough or extension of another LPA over the southwestern coast of Taiwan is affecting extreme northern Luzon particularly Batanes and Babuyan Islands where light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains will also prevail.
PAGASA warned residents in areas affected by habagat and localized thunderstorms on possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.