Storm enters Philippines, may intensify into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — Fair weather can be expected until the weekend even as Tropical Storm Inday was seen to enter the Philippine area of responsibility last night.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Inday was spotted 1,430 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph while moving southwestward, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said Inday could intensify into a severe tropical storm by Thursday and typhoon by Friday.

Inday is not expected to make landfall in any part of the country, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon and dump rains by the weekend.

PAGASA said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is currently affecting Palawan and Mindanao.

Caraga, Davao region, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga peninsula may experience scattered rainshowers due to the ITCZ.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience isolated rainshowers due to the ITCZ and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy rain.