MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Nando has maintained its strength while slowly moving over the Philippine Sea as Tropical Depression Mirasol left the country’s area of responsibility, the weather bureau said on Thursday.
Estimated at 1,335 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, “Nando,” the 14th storm to hit the country this year, is moving northwestward slowly, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 11a.m. bulletin.
Pagasa said the tropical depression would not directly affect the archipelago in the next 48 hours.
But heavy to torrential rains are possible due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat and Tropical Depression Nando on Saturday or Sunday.
Pagasa chief Nathaniel Servando said the tropical cyclone will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Saturday.
He said “Nando” could intensify into a super typhoon while traversing extreme Northern Luzon.
