Manila: The low pressure area (LPA) east of Catanduanes has developed into Tropical Depression (TD) Crising and is forecast to bring heavy rains and gusts in several areas, the weather bureau said Wednesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 11 a.m. weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reports that Crising packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 55 kph. The tropical depression was located 725 km east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m., moving westward at a speed of 35 kph.
The tropical depression is expected to bring heavy rains to the regions of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran. Although no tropical cyclone wind signal was hoisted in any part of the country, the southwest monsoon is anticipated to cause strong to gale-force gusts across Palawan, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
PAGASA also forecast moderate seas over the seaboards of Palawan, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and the Davao Region. Mariners operating motorboats and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea.
Meanwhile, Crising is expected to intensify into a tropical storm by Thursday, with a further possibility of intensifying into a severe tropical storm by Friday. PAGASA has indicated that the cyclone could potentially make landfall over the Babuyan Islands on Friday night.
