By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
A fast-moving tropical depression “Henry” is expected to make landfall over the northern tip of Cagayan province Monday evening.
(PAGASA/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Before Monday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Henry at 415 kilometers east of Calayan Island in Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
It is moving west at 25 kph.
According to PAGASA weather specialist Nikos Peñaranda, Henry will cross Batanes and Babuyan group of islands after its landfall over northern Cagayan.
Stormy weather will be felt in areas under Signal No. 1. These are Batanes, northern Cagayan, Babuyan group of islands, and northern portions of Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Peñaranda also advised fishing boats and other small sea crafts to be cautious in setting sail into the sea due to big waves generated by the surge of southwest monsoon and tropical depression Henry.
He added that the cyclone is not expected to further intensify into a tropical storm.
Henry will move outside the country’s area of responsibility or toward Hainan province in China by Tuesday, he said.
However, Peñaranda said the cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to affect the western sections of Luzon and Visayas until the weekend.
Flash floods or landslides are likely over low-lying or mountainous areas due to sudden heavy rains brought about by thunderstorms. He advised the public to continue monitoring PAGASA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for rainfall advisories.
Meanwhile, PAGASA-Weather Division assistant services chief Robert Sawi said they are also monitoring a brewing low pressure area (LPA) southeast of Henry.
It has a possibility of developing into an LPA then a tropical depression within the next two days, after Henry has traversed the extreme Northern Luzon area, Sawi said.
Once it intensifies into a cyclone inside the country’s area of responsibility, it will be given a local name of “Inday.”
So far, two tropical cyclones, namely Gardo and Henry, have affected the country this month. PAGASA earlier said two to four cyclones usually affect or enter the country in July.