'Inday' intensifies into tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Inday has intensified into a tropical storm, PAGASA said.

In a severe weather bulletin at 11 p.m. on Wednesday, PAGASA said "Inday" packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

As of 10 p.m., the state weather bureau said the center of "Inday" is estimated based on all available data at 825 km east of Basco, Batanes. It is moving northeast at 15 kph.

According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon or "habagat" enhanced by the tropical storm would bring intermittent moderate to occasional heavy monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan. 

Meanwhile, scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains is expected over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and the rest of Central Luzon until Friday. 

"Residents of these areas, especially those living in low-lying and mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslides, continue monitoring for updates, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices," PAGASA said.

It added that sea travel is risky over the western seaboard of central and southern Luzon due to rough to very rough seas associated with the southwest monsoon.

No tropical cyclone warning signal has been raised.

Forecast positions

• 24 hours (Thursday evening): 880 km east of Basco, Batanes
• 48 hours (Friday evening): 845 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes
• 72 hours (Saturday evening): 835 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes (outside the Philippine area of responsibility or PAR) 
• 96 hours (Sunday evening): 1,055 km north of Basco, Batanes (outside PAR)