Tropical cyclone seen to enter Phl this weekend

MANILA, Philippines – A tropical cyclone with international name Phanfone is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this weekend but state weather forecasters said it will not directly affect any part of the country.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said Phanfone was forecast to enter the PAR on Saturday and exit the following day.

It will be locally named Neneng once it enters the country.

PAGASA data show two or three cyclones normally enter the Philippines in October.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the intertropical convergence zone or ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Bicol region, Samar provinces and Panay Island until tomorrow.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

The ITCZ will bring light to moderate rains over Palawan and Visayas from Friday to Monday.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies apart from localized rain showers or thunderstorms during the outlook period.

PAGASA said the coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be slight to moderate.

Meanwhile, the agency said one gate of Binga dam remained open as of 6 a.m. yesterday to release excess water dumped by Tropical Storm Mario. Its water level was at 574.33 meters, slightly below its spilling level of 575 meters.