Tropical depression forms in Samar
THE LOW-PRESSURE AREA (LPA) near Eastern Visayas has intensified into a tropical depression (TD), the state weather bureau reported on Sunday.
In a bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that TD Enteng was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
The weather bureau said that Enteng may reach tropical storm category by Monday, Sept. 2.
“On the forecast track, a landfall and passage over the localities in Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas area is not ruled out within the next 48 hours,” PAGASA said.
As of 11 am the TD was last seen 120 kilometers (km) north northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar or 150 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar.
PAGASA had hoisted Tropical Wind Signal no. 1 over the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, and Ticao Island.
Signal no. 1 was also issued in Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northeastern portion of Leyte. — Adrian H. Halili