Neneng keeps strength, to bring rains over northern Luzon

Tropical Depression Neneng has maintained its strength as it now moves southward, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Thursday evening.

At 10 p.m., the center of the eye of Neneng was estimated at 1,085 km east of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center, gustiness up to 70 km/h, and central pressure of 1000 hPa.

At present, Neneng is moving southward at 10 km/h.

Rainfall and winds

According to PAGASA, the passage of Neneng may bring heavy rains over Northern Luzon beginning Saturday.

“Under these conditions, flooding is possible (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps,” it added.

Storm signal number 1 may be hoisted as early as Friday morning or afternoon over the eastern portion of Northern Luzon in the anticipation of winds of at least strong breeze to near gale strength associated with the approaching tropical cyclone.

On the latest track and intensity forecast, PAGASA said the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is signal number 2.

Coastal waters

Due to the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow, PAGASA said that a marine gale warning remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon.

“The surge of northeasterly surface wind flow and the approaching tropical cyclone may also bring moderate to rough seas (1.5 to 3.5 m) over the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon,” it said.

“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,” it added.

Track

PAGASA’s projections indicate that Neneng will move west southwestward in the next 24 hours before turning westward on Saturday.

On Sunday, the tropical depression will begin to track west northwestward towards extreme Northern Luzon.

Neneng may make landfall or may pass very close in Babuyan Islands or Batanes. It is also forecast to further intensify while moving over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category by Saturday.

The possibility of further intensification prior to its close approach to extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out, PAGASA said.—LDF, GMA News