PAGASA: Low-pressure area now Tropical Depression Inday

The active low-pressure area east of northern Luzon has developed into a tropical depression Wednesday morning, but state weather forecasters said it is still too far to directly affect any part of the country. In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression Inday was 640 km east of Basco, Batanes as of 10 a.m. "Bagama't naging bagyo na ito, ito may kalayuan at di pa makaaapekto sa anumang bahagi ng ating bansa (While it has become a cyclone, it is still too far to directly affect any part of the country)," PAGASA forecaster Bernie de Leon said on dzBB radio. No public storm warning signals were raised as of 11 a.m. PAGASA said "Inday" packed maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and is moving west northwest at 11 kph. By Thursday morning, PAGASA said Inday is forecast to be 420 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes; and 290 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes by Friday morning. On Saturday morning, it is expected to be 370 km north of Basco, Batanes. Meanwhile, PAGASA said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will continue to affect and bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over southern Luzon and the Visayas. It advised the public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned to take appropriate precautions. — RSJ, GMANews.TV