MANILA, Philippines – The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) developed into a tropical depression at 8 pm on Sunday, October 20, the weather bureau announced on social media at around 10 pm.
As of 8 pm, the tropical depression was located 1,265 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, moving west at a relatively fast 30 kilometers per hour (km/h).
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said earlier on Sunday afternoon that the weather disturbance was expected to enter PAR either Sunday or Monday, October 21.
Once inside PAR, it will be given the local name Kristine, as the country’s 11th tropical cyclone for 2024.
Even while still outside PAR, the tropical depression’s trough or extension is already bringing scattered rain and thunderstorms to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Bicol, Northern Samar, Palawan, Aurora, and Quezon.
The rest of the country may have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the trough of the tropical depression.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said in a statement on Sunday that regional offices have been ordered to prepare for the potential Kristine by monitoring and disseminating weather-related information, conducting pre-disaster risk assessments, and preparing evacuation plans, among others.
“We urge vulnerable communities to heed our call and make the necessary preparations…. Your cooperation is essential to our ongoing efforts to ensure your safety and well-being,” said OCD Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno. – Rappler.com