Ester maintains strength; Signal No. 1 raised in Batanes

Tropical Depression Ester maintained its strength as it moves over Southern Taiwan.

Ester was last spotted 230 km north Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, and gusts of up to 55 km/h.

Signal No. 1 has been raised in Batanes.

Ester and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat are expected to bring heavy rainfall over La Union, Pangasinan, and Zambales.

Meanwhile, the Habagat is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

June 5: Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.

June 6: Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Occidental Mindoro.

Tropical Depression Ester is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday morning. —VAL, GMA News