MANILA, Philippines — A new potential cyclone is expected to enter the country today after Tropical Storm Ineng (international name Bailu) moved farther away during the weekend.
Benison Estareja, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the low-pressure area was spotted at 1,255 east of Visayas as of 3 p.m. yesterday.
The weather system has a chance of developing into a tropical depression between today and tomorrow, Estareja said.
It is expected to dump rains over Northern and Central Luzon as well as parts of Southern Luzon.
The brewing cyclone was forecast to make landfall over Northern Luzon between tomorrow and Wednesday, Estareja said.
“We advise the public in Northern and Central Luzon to prepare because they are likely to be affected once this develops into a cyclone,” PAGASA senior weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said.
Once it develops into a storm, the weather system will be given the local name Jenny.
Meanwhile, Mendoza said Ineng slightly weakened yesterday.
As of 4 a.m., Ineng’s center was located at 500 kilometers west-northwest of Basco, Batanes and was moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour.
Mendoza said the southwest monsoon, enhanced by the storm, would continue to bring rains over the western section of Luzon in the next two days.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Zambales, Bataan, Batanes, and Babuyan Group of Islands in the next 24 hours.
PAGASA continued to warn the public against possible flash floods and landslides due to intermittent heavy rains.
Ineng triggered heavy flooding and landslide in Ilocos Norte on Saturday, killing two persons.
Two to four tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month, PAGASA said.
Ineng was the country’s ninth cyclone this year and the second weather disturbance for this month.