Tropical depression seen in 1 to 2 days

MANILA, Philippines - A tropical depression is expected to enter the country within 24 to 48 hours, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the weather disturbance was estimated at 1,780 kilometers east of southern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It is forecast to move west at 22 kilometers per hour.

Although the tropical depression is still far from the country, PAGASA advised the public and officials of the disaster risk reduction and management councils to be alert.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said an intertropical convergence zone would bring rains over Palawan and Mindanao, which will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Alert warning

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued a new disaster alert warning before noon yesterday in anticipation of the tropical depression.

NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator said, “It will be wise to be always on the safe side than to be sorry later.”

All disaster response teams were advised to stay alert and to monitor weather advisories, particularly those in areas projected to be in the path of the tropical depression.