The low pressure area (LPA) east of Baler, Aurora has intensified into a tropical cyclone and has been named “Dodong,” the fourth cyclone to form within the country’s area of responsibility this year, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, July 13.

In its bulletin issued at 11 p.m., PAGASA said tropical depression Dodong has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

It was last seen moving north-northwestward at 20 kph over the coastal waters of Dilasag, Aurora.

According to PAGASA, Dodong may move northwestward, then west-northwestward, and may cross the rugged ladmass of Northern Luzon between Thursday evening and Friday noon, July 14.

(PAGASA)

Signal No. 1 up

PAGASA raised tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1 in some areas in anticipation of strong winds from Dodong.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, northern Pangasinan, northern and central portions of Aurora, and northern and eastern portions of Polillo Islands.

PAGASA said Dodong may bring heavy rains to Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, northern Aurora, Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Monsoon-induced rains persist

Moreover, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or habagat, which is being strengthened by Dodong may also bring heavy rains to some parts of Luzon and Visayas in the next three days.

The following areas may experience heavy rains until Sunday, July 16.

From Thursday night to Friday night — Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, northern Palawan, Antique

From Friday night to Saturday night — Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, northern Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental

From Saturday night to Sunday night — Zambales, Bataan, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Palawan with the exception of the northern part.

Intense rains may also affect Zambales and Bataan until Saturday evening, while it may affect Occidental Mindoro, Antique, and northern Palawan by Sunday.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that have received considerable amounts of rainfall over the past several days,” PAGASA said.

Dodong is expected to leave the country’s area of responsibility on Saturday or Sunday and intensify into a tropical storm during this time.