Tropical Storm Henry leaves PAR, but rains to prevail

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Henry intensified into a tropical storm as it made its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday morning.

As it strengthened, it was given international name “Son-Tinh.”

In a bulletin issued 11 a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said that “Henry” had already left the PAR at 9 a.m.

All tropical cyclone warning signals have been lifted.

It slightly intensified before it left PAR. “Henry” packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

“Henry” was last seen 415 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan.

The fast-moving tropical storm is heading west at 45 kilometers per hour.

Although “Henry” is already out of PAR, monsoon rains are still expected to prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Palawan and Western Visayas. Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms will affect the rest of the country.

PAGASA warned that sea travel remains risky over the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

It issued heavy rainfall warning at 11 a.m. due to the southwest monsoon boosted by Tropical Storm Henry. Orange Warning Level, which indicates that “flooding is threatening,” is up over Metro Manila, Cavite, Bataan, Zambales  

The Yellow Warning Level, on the other hand, has been hoisted over Batangas, Rizal, Bulacan and Pampanga. Flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

The state weather bureau said it is monitoring the low pressure are off Aparri, Cagayan. It may develop into a tropical depression in the next 36 hours.