Tropical depression intensifies into storm

MANILA, Philippines -  Tropical Depression Dante intensified into a storm as it entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Dante was 1,105 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. The storm was forecast to move northwest at 15 kph.

Rene Paciente, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather services chief, said the tropical cyclone is expected to linger over the Philippine Sea in the next two days and leave the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow night. 

If Dante maintains its speed and track, it will be at 1,165 kms east of Casiguran, Aurora this morning; 1,445 kms east of Aparri, Cagayan by tomorrow morning, and 1,740 kms east of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning. 

Dante is the second tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this month.

PAGASA said it is normal to have more than one cyclone during summer. Three cyclones entered the country in April 1971.