Summer storm set to enter Phl

MANILA, Philippines - A tropical depression off the Pacific Ocean is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow and bring rains over the eastern section of the country, the state weather bureau warned yesterday.

Rene Paciente, weather forecasting section chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the disturbance was located around 2,000 kilometers east of Mindanao as of yesterday noon.

Paciente said the tropical depression could intensify into a storm before it enters the country’s territory by tomorrow or Monday. It will be locally named Domeng once inside the Philippine area of responsibility.

PAGASA is looking at two possible scenarios for the cyclone, according to Paciente.

“First scenario is it will recurve and will not enter the Philippine area of responsibility. The other scenario is it will move toward Samar-Leyte area,” Paciente said in a phone interview.

If the disturbance maintains its present speed and direction, it will likely make landfall over Samar-Leyte area by Wednesday next week, he added.

Samar and Leyte were two of the areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in November last year.

“We advise residents of these areas to be prepared and to always monitor our forecasts,” Paciente said.

He said the cyclone is not expected to affect Metro Manila.

Paciente said the occurrence of a tropical cyclone during the dry season is not unusual.

In April 2011, Tropical Depression Amang entered the country, he said.

Contingency plan

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) assured the public that it is prepared to address the possible impact of the weather disturbance being monitored by PAGASA.

NDRRMC spokesman Maj. Rey Balido yesterday said they are also closely observing the behavior of the tropical depression so they could make the necessary preparations.

“Plans are in place and it’s just a matter of implementing them,” Balido said.  – With Alexis Romero