Tropical storm Inday (international name: Muifa) slightly intensified as it moved slowly over the Philippine Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 5 a.m. bulletin Friday, Sept. 9.
Inday now has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
The storm was at 870 kilometers east of Central Luzon, and was moving west-northwestward slowly.
“Aside from rain showers caused by its trough, tropical storm Inday remains less likely to bring heavy rains in the country throughout the forecast period,” PAGASA said.
“The latest forecast scenario for Inday shows that the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signals over any land area in the country remains unlikely,” it added.
In the next 24 hours, cloudy skies with scattered rain shower and thunderstorms may prevail over Bicol Region, Panay Island, Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon due to the trough or extension of Inday.
PAGASA warned against possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to, at times, heavy rains in these areas.
The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA also advised the public to stay vigilant as flash floods or landslides may occur during severe thunderstorms, which are often accompanied by sudden heavy rains, lightning, thunder, gusty winds, and sometimes hail.
Based on the PAGASA’s latest track forecast, the tropical storm may exit the Philippine area of responsibility early next week.