Tropical depression "Fabian" is expected to continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or "habagat" that could trigger rains over several parts of the country in the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its weather bulletin on Saturday afternoon, July 17.

Scattered light to moderate to at times heavy monsoon rains may affect Bataan, Zambales, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Ilocos Region, Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the Visayas.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may also experience partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with rain showers or thunderstorms.

"Flash floods and rain-induced landslides are possible during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA warned.

As of 4 p.m., the center of Fabian was estimated at 1,205 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon.

Fabian slightly accelerated while it maintained its maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph, PAGASA said.

It added that the cyclone may intensify into a tropical storm within 12 hours, and into a typhoon by Tuesday morning, July 20.

"On the forecast track, Fabian will remain far from the Philippine landmass throughout the forecast period. The tropical depression is forecast to move generally north-northwestward or northwestward until Tuesday morning before turning west-northwestward by Tuesday afternoon," PAGASA said.

It will likely be outside the country's area of responsibility by Monday, July 19, while moving towards the southern portion of Ryukyu Islands.