Tropical Depression Ester has entered PAR

Tropical Depression Ester has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the Severe Weather Bulletin issued by PAGASA late Thursday evening.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 is raised over Batanes.

As of 10 p.m., Ester was estimated at 335 kilometers northwest of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph and moving in the east northeast direction with a speed of up to 14 kph.

The state weather bureau reported that occasional rains with gusty winds will prevail over Batanes due to the approaching weather disturbance.

The southwest monsoon enhanced by Ester will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, Bataan.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas this weekend.

The residents in these areas, especially those living in low lying areas and mountainous areas, to take necessary precautions against possible landslides and floodings.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of northern Luzon and the western seaboard of central Luzon.

The Low Pressure Area spotted in eastern Mindanao has dissipated.

The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and to monitor weather bulletins. — BAP, GMA News