‘Darna’ to bring more rains

With the monsoon season here, can Darna be far behind?

Tropical depression "Darna," after the Mars Ravelo comics heroine, developed from a low pressure area spotted near the Bicol Region a few days ago.

But instead of being clad in a bikini to save people in distress, this woman comes with wind and rains to wreak possible havoc.

Darna the tropical depression has slowed down as it changed course slightly but remains a threat to Central and Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

"At 4 p.m., the center of Darna was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 45 kilometers north of Virac, Catanduanes or 310 kilometers southeast of Baler, Aurora with strongest sustained center winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph)," PAGASA said.

It is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph toward Central and Northern Luzon, it added.

Darna is expected to hit land between Baler and Casiguran, Aurora this afternoon.

Darna, not the comics heroine popularized by such actresses as Rosa del Rosario, Vilma Santos and Anjanette Abayari, is likely to weaken after hitting land, the weather bureau said.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Northern and Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Quezon and Aurora. These areas will have rains and winds of up to 55 kph, while coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

PAGASA lowered all public storm signals elsewhere yesterday afternoon but advised residents in affected areas to be alert against flash floods and landslides, something which could be a job for Darna, the heroine, not the storm.