MANILA, Philippines - The low pressure area (LPA) spotted east of Mindanao has developed into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said before Thursday noon.
The state weather bureau said the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 1,140 kilometers east of Mindanao at 10 a.m. today.
PAGASA said this weather system will not yet affect any part of the country but it is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this afternoon or evening.
It will be then named "Basyang," the second tropical cyclone to hit the country this year.
Earlier this month, an LPA hovered over Mindanao for some days and dumped heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides.
It then developed into Tropical Depression "Agaton," which left scores dead in Mindanao.