Tropical depression "Fabian" will likely enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and bring heavy rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas in the next few days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday afternoon, July 16.
At around 4 p.m., PAGASA said the center of tropical depression Fabian was estimated at 1,345 kilometers east of northern Luzon and has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Fabian may gradually intensify over the next 48 hours and may become a tropical storm by Sunday, July 20.
While Fabian may not have a direct effect on the country's weather conditions, PAGASA warned that the southwest monsoon enhanced by the tropical cyclone may bring heavy rains over Metro Manila, Bataan, Zambales, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental beginning Sunday.
"Fabian is forecast to continue moving northward until Sunday morning. On the forecast track, the tropical depression will begin to turn north-northwestward by Sunday afternoon, northwestward by Monday (July 19), and west-northwestward towards the southern portion of Ryukyu Islands by Tuesday (July 20)," PAGASA said.
"Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property," said the State weather bureau.
Those living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are also advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.