The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday, Dec. 12, advised residents and travelers, especially in Visayas and Mindanao, to prepare against the possible impact of a tropical depression in the next few days.

"'Yung minomonitor nating bagyo ay may mas malaking tsansa na tumama at tumawid sa Visayas-Mindanao area in the next three to five days (The typhoon we are monitoring has a greater chance of hitting and crossing the Visayas-Mindanao area in the next three to five days)," said PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez.

"Ngayon pa lang, inaabisuhan na natin ang ating mga kababayan sa Visayas, Mindanao, at maging sa southern Luzon na patuloy na mag-antabay sa update natin hinggil sa tropical depression na nasa labas pa ng ating area of responsibility (As early as now, we are informing those in Visayas, Mindanao, and even southern Luzon to continue monitoring updates regarding the tropical depression that is still outside our area of responsibility)," he said.

The tropical depression was estimated 1,955 kilometers east of Mindanao at around 3 p.m.

It now has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph while moving westward at 15 kph.

Once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, Dec. 14, the tropical depression will be given a local name "Odette," Perez said.

He noted that some tropical cyclones usually cross Visayas and Mindanao during this time of the year, based on the PAGASA's historical data.

"Historically speaking, may mga bagyo during this time of the year na may tendency talagang tumawid sa ilang bahagi ng ating bansa, particularly na sa Visayas at Mindanao (Historically speaking, there are tropical cyclones during this time of the year that tend to cross some parts of our country, particularly the Visayas and Mindanao)," Perez said.

PAGASA said the tropical depression remains too far to affect any part of the Philippines within 24 hours.

However, the shear line, also known as the tail-end of frontal system, and northeast monsoon, locally called "amihan," may continue to affect the weather conditions in some parts of the country.

In the next 24 hours, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Marinduque, Romblon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.

Those in these areas were advised to take precautions against possible flooding or landslides, especially during moderate to heavy rains.

Cloudy skies with light rains may also prevail over Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mt. Province, and Aurora due to the northeast monsoon, PAGASA said.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon may have partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated light monsoon rains.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.