'Josie' leaves PAR, but rains to prevail

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Depression Josie is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday morning but parts of Luzon and Visayas will continue to experience scattered rains due to a low pressure area, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. severe weather bulletin, "Josie" was spotted 585 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph. It is moving north at 20 kph. 

"Josie" did not make a landfall. 

The state weather bureau said the southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to bring scattered to widespread monsoon rains over Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan and Western Visayas.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and of Visayas will experience occasional rains.

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

The state weather bureau said it is monitoring the LPA, spotted 1,495 kilometers east of Central Luzon. It may develop into a tropical depression in the next 24 to 48 hours.