Storm signals in 19 areas as 'Dindo' moves toward northern Luzon. PAGASA satellite image as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday shows the center of Tropical Storm Dindo at 260 km east of Aparri, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph. Southwest monsoon is affecting Luzon and the Visayas. GMA News

State weather forecasters have lowered storm signals as Tropical Storm Dindo (international code: Doksuri) continued to move across extreme north Luzon.
 
In an update Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) placed six areas under Storm Signal No. 2: Cagayan, Calayan Group of Islands, Babuyan Group of Islands, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
 
Storm signals for Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, and Mt. Province have been lowered to Signal No. 1. Also under Signal No. 1 are Ilocos Sur, Ifugao, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.
 
“Dindo” is forecast to move west-northwest at 19 kph, and is expected to be out of the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday morning. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, the center was estimated to be at 140 kms north northeast of Aparri, Cagayan.
 
In the update, PAGASA estimated heavy rainfall of 15-25 mm per hour within the 400 km diameter of the storm.
 
 “Dindo” enhanced the southwest monsoon, bringing rain over southern Luzon and Visayas, especially the western section, triggering landslides and flashfloods, as well as a possible occurrence of storm surge over the coastal areas under signal No. 2.
 
PAGASA advised fishing boats and other small seacraft “not to venture out into the seaboards of central and southern Luzon and western Visayas, due to the combined effect of the tropical storm and the southwest monsoon.” —Amanda Lago/VS, GMA News