Storm in summer: ‘Crising’ to hit RP

Rain, rain, go away, goes the famous nursery rhyme.

But with the country reeling from scorching mercury readings, a storm may come as welcome relief for once.

A brewing tempest, tropical depression "Crising," has been spotted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) edging its way toward Luzon.

"At 10 a.m. yesterday, the center of tropical depression Crising was estimated, based on satellite and surface data, at 350 kilometers east of southern Leyte with strongest sustained center winds of 55 kilometers per hour. It is moving northwest slowly in the general direction of the Eastern Visayas—Bicol area," PAGASA said.

In its bulletin, PAGASA forecast that Crising would be 220 kilometers east-southeast of Eastern Samar by this morning and 180 kilometers east of Eastern Samar by Wednesday morning.

PAGASA advised all public and disaster coordinating councils to make adequate preparations for the third weather disturbance to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this year.

Temperatures in the high thirties were again recorded across the country yesterday, with the maximum of 38.0 degrees Celsius or 101 degrees Fahrenheit posted in Tuguegarao City in Cagayan at 2:45 p.m.

Dry-valve instruments at the Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City, meanwhile recorded slightly lower temperatures of 37.9 degrees Celsius (100.22 degrees Fahrenheit).