'Domeng' weakens further but 17 areas still under Signal 1

Tropical depression "Domeng" weakened further Thursday morning but 17 areas remained under Storm Signal No. 1, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said "Domeng" was estimated at 230 kilometers (km) southeast of Basco, Batanes as of 10 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and moving west southwest at 9 kph. The cyclone is expected to be 50 km north of Aparri, Cagayan Friday morning, and 130 km north-northwest of Laoag City Saturday morning.

Still under Storm Signal No. 1 are Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Mt. Province, Isabela, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Calayan Islands, Babuyan Islands, and Batanes. On the other hand, PAGASA said "Domeng" and a Low Pressure Area (LPA) some 850 kms east of Luzon will still enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the country. PAGASA advised residents in low-lying and mountainous areas against possible flashfloods and landslides. – VVP, GMANews.TV