The low pressure area (LPA) east of extreme Northern Luzon became a tropical depression at 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The tropical depression, which will be locally known as “Obet,” is the country’s 14th tropical cyclone for 2022 and the third for October.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin issued on Wednesday, PAGASA estimated the location of the tropical depression 1,055 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon.
It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph, while moving north-northwestward at 10 kph.
PAGASA said tropical depression Obet is likely to move westward to west-northwestward Friday, Oct. 21, through Saturday (Oct. 22), as it heads toward Northern Luzon or the Luzon Strait.
“ Friday evening through Saturday morning, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are possible over Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over Batanes, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and the rest of mainland Cagayan,” PAGASA said.
“ Saturday morning through afternoon, light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of Abra and Ilocos Sur,” it added.
PAGASA warned against possible flooding and landslides, especially in areas that are prone to these hazards and those with significant antecedent rainfall.
It said Obet may further intensify into a tropical storm by late Friday or early Saturday.
“Based on the latest forecast scenario, tropical cyclone wind signal may be hoisted for some areas in Northern Luzon tonight (Oct. 19) or tomorrow (Oct. 20) at the earliest,” PAGASA said.
The highest possible wind warning that may likely be hoisted during the passage of Obet is Signal No. 2.