Tropical depression to enter PAR within 48 hours

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area east of the Visayas has intensified into a tropical depression and is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility within the next 48 hours, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The trough of the weather disturbance, which will be named Marilyn once inside the country, and the southwest monsoon will bring scattered light to moderate rains to at times heavy rains over Marinduque, Mindoro provinces, Romblon and northern portions of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Island as well as the Visayas and Bicol region.

The tropical cyclone is still not expected to make landfall in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 1,620 kilometers east of Southern Luzon.

It packed winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

The weather disturbance was moving northeast at a speed of 25 kph.

Based on PAGASA’s 24-hour weather bulletin, the trough of the tropical depression will bring scattered to widespread rains over Bicol, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and the Visayas as well as the provinces of Aurora, Quezon and Batangas.

Metro Manila will have cloudy skies with scattered rains until today.

Fair weather is expected over the metropolis starting tomorrow and the next day, apart from isolated rains.