Bising to linger for few more days

MANILA, Philippines -  The state weather bureau warned yesterday residents along the eastern seaboard of the country to brace for rains due to Tropical Depression Bising, which is expected to linger over the Philippine Sea in the next few days.

Although it remains unlikely to hit land mass, Bising will continue to dump moderate to heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and the Caraga region, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Bising changed its track from north northwest to north northeast, away from the country, yesterday afternoon.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Bising was located at 385 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is forecast to move north northeast at 10 kph.

No areas have been placed under tropical cyclone warning signal as of yesterday afternoon.

The weather agency also advised fishermen and operators of small sea vessels not to go out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by the depression.

Bising was moving slowly over the sea due to the influence of the cold northeast monsoon. The prevailing cold wind is not conducive for tropical cyclone intensification, the weather bureau explained.

Some forecasts also showed that Bising would weaken into a low pressure area as it exits the Philippine area of responsibility either on Wednesday or Thursday.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon would continue to bring cloudy skies with light rains over the provinces of Ilocos, Cagayan and Batanes.