Tropical Depression Dante to enhance Habagat rains —PAGASA

Tropical Depression Dante slightly intensified as it continued to move northwestward over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. cyclone bulletin.

The state weather bureau said Dante is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, which has brought rains and floods in Metro Manila and several provinces for days. 

Dante was estimated at 1,055 km East of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving Northwestward at 25 kph.

Dante may reach tropical storm category on Wednesday, PAGASA said. Further intensification into a severe tropical storm remains less likely but is not ruled out, it added.

The enhanced Habagat will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

• Wednesday (23 July): Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and Dinagat Islands.

• Thursday (24 July): Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte Camiguin, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

Dante is forecast to move generally northwestward over the Philippine Sea from Tuesday night to Wednesday, and move towards the Ryukyu Islands and the East China Sea. On the track forecast, Dante may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday evening, July 24.—LDF, GMA Integrated News