Low pressure area off Luzon develops into tropical depression

MANILA, Philippines - The low pressure area east of Southern Luzon developed into a tropical depression yesterday but is not expected to directly affect the country, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said tropical depression “Hanna” was spotted at 890 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

It packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and was moving northeast at 24 kph.

The weather bureau said that the whole country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains and thunderstorms.

PAGASA said Hanna is expected to be at 1,490 km east of Tuguegarao City this afternoon.

“It is expected to merge with the incoming typhoon ‘Ma-on’ thereafter, it said.

Hanna is the eighth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second weather disturbance this month.