Rainy across Metro Manila, other areas as 'Ester' enhances habagat

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:09 p.m.) — Tropical Depression Ester, which is being enhanced by the southwest monsoon or habagat, will continue to bring rains over Metro Manila and other areas, state weather bureau PAGASA said Saturday. 

According to a tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 11 a.m. Saturday, Tropical Depression Ester has accelerated while moving westward over the Philippine Sea east of extreme northern Luzon.

"Ester" was last spotted 550 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, with peak winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression was moving westward at 20 kph.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted.

The habagat is being enhanced by Ester and Tropical Storm Songda, which is outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

Several provinces in the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon (including Metro Manila) will experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.

PAGASA said scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in high-risk areas. 

The tropical depression and the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of the country, which may be risky for small seacrafts.

Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and to avoid navigating in these conditions.

Tropical Depression Ester is forecast to decelerate north northwestward in the next 12 hours and will gradually accelerate northward by Sunday early morning. It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday morning or afternoon.

"Ester" is seen to remain a tropical depression in the next 36 hours.