'Katring' likely to spare RP

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) spotted a new tropical depression off the Pacific but it will likely avoid the Philippines.

The tropical depression, which will be called “Katring,” was seen to proceed to Japan, sparing northern Luzon which has been ravaged by powerful typhoon “Juan.”

In an advisory, PAGASA said Katring was spotted some 1,320 kilometers east of northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center.

The tropical depression was forecast to move west slowly.

“This weather disturbance is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and about to enter the eastern border this afternoon. However, it is still too far to affect any part of the country,” PAGASA added.

The weather bureau also spotted the center of typhoon Juan at 430 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes as it continued to leave the Philippine territory.

It headed to China
with maximum sustained winds of 175 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kph.

But PAGASA said Luzon, Western Visayas and Western Mindanao were forecasted to experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, while the rest of the country would be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

“Strong winds blowing from the southwest to south will prevail over the northern and western sections of northern Luzon and the coastal waters along these areas will be rough. Moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest to south will prevail over the rest of Luzon and from the southwest over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas,” the weather bureau said.

PAGASA is also monitoring the release of water from three dams accumulated when Juan hit the country.

The Ambuklao and Binga dams in Benguet and Magat Caliraya dam in Laguna have opened two gates each to release water before the spilling level is reached.

Sheila Crisostomo, Philippine Star