Tropical Depression Gardo to bring rains over Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — The trough of Tropical Depression Gardo is expected to bring rains over parts of Luzon today, as the state weather bureau is also monitoring a super typhoon that is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tonight.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Gardo was monitored 1,185 kilometers east of Northern Luzon as of 4 p.m. and was moving westward at 15 km per hour.

It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

While Gardo will not directly affect the country, its trough will bring scattered rainshowers over Aurora, CALABARZON and Camarines Norte.

Gardo is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm today but may degenerate into a remnant low by Thursday as it moves northwestward, interacting with Super Typhoon Hinnamor.

Meanwhile, Hinnamor, which will be named Henry once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility, was monitored at 1,485 km northeast of Northern Luzon as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

Hinnamor is expected to generally move southwestward over the sea southeast of Ryuyuku islands and enter the Philippine area of responsibility this evening.

Hinnamor carried maximum sustained winds of 185km/h and may reach a peak of 195 km/h and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.

PAGASA said that there is a chance that the two tropical cyclones would merge after interacting with each other over the Philippine Sea.

The agency is not ruling out the possible hoisting of a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal over extreme Northern Luzon once Hinnamor enters the Philippine area of responsibility.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Metro Manila and the rest of the country may see isolated rainshowers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during at times heavy rains.