Tropical depression Gener spotted off Palawan Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines – A low-pressure area spotted off Coron, Palawan developed yesterday into a tropical depression and was named “Gener.”

But Nathaniel Cruz, weather branch chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said the weather disturbance would not directly hit the country.

Gener is the seventh tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first for this month.

In an interview, Cruz said Gener would enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat and bring light to moderate rains over southern Luzon and western Visayas.

“Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa said.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Gener was located 300 kilometers west-northwest of Coron, Palawan with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

It was forecast to move west-northwest at 11 kph.

Gener is expected to be at 530 kms west-northwest of Coron this morning and at 870 kms west-northwest of Coron or 250 kms south of Paracel Island tomorrow morning.

The Paracel Islands are a group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea administered by the People’s Republic of China but also claimed by Vietnam.

No public storm warning signals were raised as of yesterday afternoon.

Cruz advised the public to be prepared and closely monitor weather updates.

He said Gener is expected to leave the Philippines this afternoon and move towards northern Vietnam.

He added that while there is no sign Gener would change course, the possibility is still there.

“If it changes direction (from west-northwest to northeast), Gener might hit northern Luzon,” Cruz warned.

He said the presence of another weather system, a high-pressure area, could affect typhoon direction, citing the cases of typhoons “Cosme” and “Frank.”

Frank battered the country last month, leaving hundreds of people dead and damaging P4.39-billion worth of crops and property.

Cosme, on the other hand, brought heavy rains that triggered landslides and flashfloods in some parts of the country.

Pagasa director Prisco Nilo earlier said three to four tropical cyclones are likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month.

He said the normal path of tropical cyclones this July is towards northern Luzon.

About 22 tropical cyclones are expected to cross the Philippines this year.   – Helen Flores