'Inday' intensifies into a typhoon

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 11:38 a.m.) — "Inday" (international name: Muifa) has intensified into a typhoon from a severe tropical storm, although it is still unlikely to directly affect the weather in the country.

In a bulletin issued Saturday, 11 a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said Inday's trough may bring heavy rain showers during thunderstorms over the eastern section of southern Luzon and the western portion of Central Luzon.

Inday may also enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, which PAGASA said may bring rains over the western sections of southern Luzon and Visayas.

The state weather bureau also did not hoist any tropical cyclone wind signal as it said the cyclone's winds are not directly affecting the country, but wind signals may be hoisted should Inday move further westward or the extent of its winds expand.

PAGASA warned that Inday may bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, which may be risky for those using small seacrafts.

Inday, last spotted 445 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes packing winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph, is forecast to move generally northwestward over the Philippine Sea until Monday.

It will likely slow down throughout that period and may even appear to be stationary by Tuesday.

PAGASA said Inday will continue to get stronger until Sunday or Monday, but the slightly cooler waters east of Taiwan and its expected slowing down may cause it to weaken by Monday or Tuesday.

The state weather service added that Inday may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Forecast position

• Sep. 10, 8 p.m. - 340 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 11, 8 a.m. - 305 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 11, 8 p.m. - 320 km northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 12, 8 a.m. - 370 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 12, 8 p.m. - 395 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 13, 8 a.m. - 435 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes
• Sep. 14, 8 a.m. - 560 km north northeast of Itbayat, Batanes (outside PAR)
• Sep. 15, 8 a.m. - 905 km north of extreme northern Luzon (outside PAR)

— Xave Gregorio