PAGASA: Inday enters PAR early Wednesday night

The tropical storm located east of northern Luzon has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is now called “Inday,” PAGASA said on Wednesday night.

According to the state weather bureau, Inday entered the PAR at 7 p.m.

The center of Inday was estimated at 1,355 kilometers east of Central Luzon as of 11 p.m.

It had maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 90 km/h.

At present, Inday is moving west southwestward at 10 km/h.

No tropical cyclone wind signal has been hoisted yet for Inday.

According to PAGASA’s projections, Inday was forecast to move generally west northwestward in the next 24 hours.

“A further northwestward turn may begin on Thursday. Intensification into a severe tropical storm is likely in the next 24 hours,” it said.

“Further intensification may occur as the tropical cyclone moves over the Philippine Sea,” it added.

The tropical storm is unlikely to directly affect the weather condition in the country within the forecast period.

However, Inday might bring moderate to rough seas over the seaboards of extreme Northern Luzon, ranging from 1.2 meters to 4.0 meters during the weekend.

“These conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions,” PAGASA said. —Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News