LPA intensifies into Tropical Depression Amang — PAGASA

A low-pressure area east of Eastern Visayas has intensified into a tropical depression but is not likely to affect the country, state weather forecasters said Monday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the tropical depression, codenamed "Amang," is moving northeast and away from the Philippines. "Nag-intensify ang LPA at ito ay isang tropical depression na ngayon. Pinangalanan natin itong 'Amang' (The LPA intnsified into a tropical depression and we codenamed it 'Amang')," PAGASA forecaster Glaiza Escollar said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said that as of 2 a.m., Amang was 700 km east of Borongan in Eastern Samar, with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. But she said Amang is moving away from Philippine territory and toward Taiwan or China. "Ito ay papalayo at ito ay fino-forecast natin sa northeast at may bilis na 15 kph (It is moving away from Philippine territory and is moving northeast at 15 kph)," she said. As such, she said there are no storm signals raised over the country as Amang is still moving northeast. "Wala naman kasi ang tropical depression na ito ay gumagalaw northeast o papalayo sa ating kalupaan. Ito pataas papuntang Taiwan o China, palihis po (There is no storm signal because 'Amang' is moving away from the Philippines. It is going up towards Taiwan or China)," she said. She said cloudy skies with rains are expected over parts of Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. Metro Manila and other parts of the country will have cloudy skies and scattered rains and thunderstorms, she added. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council instructed its regional and provincial disaster management officials to take "appropriate precautionary measures." In its 11 p.m. Sunday report, the NDRRMC said these measures may include preemptive evacuation of families in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes. — RSJ, GMA News