DAVAO CITY – The low pressure area inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into tropical depression locally named “Egay”, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
Pagasa said Egay is the fourth tropical cyclone to affect the country this year.
Pagasa weather forecaster Chris Perez said that as of 10 am on Thursday tropical depression Egay was located at 520 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes (13.8°N, 129.1°E) packed with maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center. It is forecast to move north northwest at five kph.
He said tropical depression Egay has a slim chance to make a landfall and also is not directly affecting the country. No public storm warning signal has been raised in any part of the country.
However, Perez noted that with the presence of tropical depression Egay, “it will enhance the west monsoon that will induce rains in Visayas and Mindanao.”
The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the tropical depression.
With continues movement at north northwest at five kph, Perez expects the tropical depression will stay longer inside the country due to its slow movement.
Tropical depression Egay is expected to be at 485 km east of Virac, Catanduanes by Friday morning.
By Saturday morning is forecast to be at 650 km East of Casiguran, Aurora and be at 640 km east of Tuguegarao City by Sunday morning.
By Monday morning is expected to be at 570 km East of Tuguegarao City and be at 530 km East of Calayan, Cagayan by Tuesday morning.
Fisherfolk are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.
Perez said the weather bureau continues monitoring the tropical storm with international name Chan-Hom and the other LPA outside the PAR. (davaotoday.com)
