LPA near Luzon now a tropical depression

MANILA, Philippines - The low pressure area spotted near Luzon has developed into a tropical depression, the state weather bureau said Tuesday afternoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) named the 10th tropical cyclone as "Jolina."

PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m., the cyclone's eye was estimated at 240 kilometers west southwest of Subic, Zambales.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, moving west northwest at a speed of 11 kph.

The cyclone was forecast to move 470 kilometers west of Subic, Zambales by Wednesday afternoon and leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday afternoon.

The weather bureau said the cyclone will enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms over Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and provinces in Western Visayas.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has alerted its unit in Mimaropa and Western Visayas.