Inday out; new storm may enter Phl on Sunday

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Luzon, including Metro Manila, could expect improved weather today as Tropical Storm Inday left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

Rene Paciente, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), however said the eastern section of northern and central Luzon might still experience light to moderate rains until today.

Meanwhile, Paciente said a new storm with international name Halong might enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday.

He said the new storm was not expected to directly affect the country but it might also enhance the southwest monsoon, which could trigger rains over the western section of the Visayas and southern Luzon.

Halong will be locally named Jose once it enters the country’s area of responsibility.

Inday intensified into a storm as it moved north-northwest toward Okinawa, Japan yesterday.

As of 3 p.m., the center was located at 655 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

It was forecast to move north- northwest at 20 kph.

Inday is predicted to be at 885 km northeast of Basco or 250 km north of Okinawa this morning.