'Crising' weakens; 'Dante' heralds rainy season

MANILA, Philippines -  A low-pressure area off Albay developed into a tropical depression yesterday, signaling the start of the rainy season this week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said yesterday.

Pagasa Administrator Prisco Nilo said tropical depressions “Crising” and “Dante” would continue to bring “moderate to heavy” rains over some parts of the country, particularly over Bicol and Southern Luzon.

Crising and Dante are the third and fourth tropical cyclones, respectively, to enter the country this year.

Nilo said the development of Dante could trigger the onset of the rainy season anytime this week.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, Pagasa raised storm warning signal No. 1 over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, Masbate, Burias Island, and Southern Quezon.

Nilo said Dante remained “almost stationary.”   – Helen Flores, Cet Dematera