Tropical depression off Pacific Ocean accelerates

MANILA, Philippines - The tropical depression off the Pacific Ocean accelerated yesterday as it moved toward the Philippines, but the state weather bureau said it is unlikely to hit any part of the country.

However, it may enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains in some parts of the country later this week, according to Aldczar Aurelio, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

It is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow morning and will be named Jenny.

Aurelio said light to moderate rains might be experienced in the Visayas and Mindanao, becoming moderate to heavy over the western section beginning Friday or Saturday.

He said the enhanced southwest monsoon would also bring light to moderate rains over Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, this weekend as the tropical cyclone moves north toward Japan.

As of 11 a.m. yesterday, the tropical depression was located at 2,020 kilometers east of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.