Pagasa: 'Dolphin' may intensify into typhoon before entering RP

MANILA, Philippines - Incoming tropical depression "Dolphin" may intensify into a typhoon upon entering Philippine territory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Saturday. Pagasa head Prisco Nilo said early Saturday the cyclone, to be nicknamed Ulysses once it enters Philippine territory, will most likely hit the Bicol or Eastern Samar areas. "Medyo malayo pa, maari pa ito mag-typhoon dahil nasa dagat pa ito (It's still outside Philippine territory, it may intensify into a typhoon)," Nilo said in an interview on dzXL radio. Nilo said the cyclone will likely bring more wind than rain, but advised residents of Bicol and Eastern Visayas to prepare for both wind and rain. He said "Dolphin" packs winds of 65 kph but may gather strength and intensify into a typhoon as it is still in the water. Pagasa's advisory dated 4:30 p.m. Friday had said "Dolphin" was likely to affect Bicol and Eastern Visayas starting late Monday and bring scattered to widespread rains. "Sa pangkalahatan, Bicol region ang tumbok ng bagyo o sa Samar. Sa general direction, Bicol or Samar area (As a whole, the cyclone is heading for either Bicol or Samar. That's its general direction)," Nilo said. On the other hand, he said Pagasa still expects at least one more cyclone to pass the country before the year ends. "Usually at this time of year mas mahangin kesa maulan pero paghandaan natin pareho, malakas na pagulan at malakas na hangin (At this time of year it's more windy than rainy but it's advisable to prepare for both wind and rain)," he said. Meanwhile, Pagasa said Saturday morning the whole country will experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, Pagasa said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the northeast with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms.- GMANews.TV