Ester maintains strength but moves away from Phl

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression "Ester" has maintained its strength as it continues to move farther away from the country, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the center of the cyclone was located at 33 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes at 4 a.m. today.

Forecast to move northeast at 20 kilometers per hour, Ester is still packed with maximum winds of 55 kilometers near the center.

PAGASA, which declared the onset of the rainy season yesterday, said the southwest monsoon or "Habagat" continues to affect Luzon.

The agency said Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan group of islands, the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon and Metro Manila will experience monsoon rains.

The rest of Luzon will have occasional rains while other parts of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Light to moderate winds coming from the southwest will prevail over Visayas and from the south to southwest over Mindanao with slight to moderate seas.