The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration(PAGASA) reported that tropical depression “Paeng” has maintained its strength while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.
In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said Paeng was sighted 945 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 4 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and central pressure of 1004 hPa.
At present, Paeng is moving 10 km/h westward and also had strong winds that extended outwards up to 300 km from the center, the weather bureau said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is on red alert status for Paeng, GMA News reported.
At a press briefing, NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Raffy Alejandro said most Regional Risk-Reduction Management Councils (RDRRMCs) will be on red alert status starting Thursday.
“By tomorrow most of our regional offices or regional DRRMCs will be on red alert status starting tomorrow,” Alejandro said, adding that “we will experience the effects of the tropical depression starting Friday and then onwards to Monday until it exits on Tuesday.”
PAGASA further said no tropical cyclone wind signal has been hoisted yet in any area.
However, PAGASA said a cyclone wind signal may be raised for some areas in Eastern Visayas and Bicol region on Thursday morning. The weather bureau said the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 4.
Paeng is also expected to heavy rains are possible over Quezon, Bicol Region, Visayas, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may be experienced over Eastern Visayas, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan.
Rizal, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Visayas and Cagayan Valley may have light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
Moreover, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains are possible over Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, northern portion of Zambales, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan on Saturday early morning through Sunday afternoon.
Ilocos Norte, Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon may experience moderate to heavy with at times intense rains.