PAGASA: Incoming storm's clouds enter PHL territory

The advancing clouds of an incoming tropical storm entered Philippine territory Thursday, even as state weather forecasters said the storm itself is not likely to make landfall over any part of the country. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Gener Quitlong said the storm is likely to enter the Philippines within the day and will be locally codenamed "Nonoy." "Actually ang gitna ng bagyo di pa nakakapasok pero ang advancing clouds niya nakapasok na ito ng Philippine area of responsibility. Papasok ito ngayong araw at ang ipapangalan natin dito ay Nonoy,"Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he said the storm, internationally codenamed "Kulap," is near Batanes in Extreme Northern Luzon and heading for Southern Japan. Quitlong added the storm is not likely to directly affect any part of the country, but may enhance the southwest monsoon. "Maliit ang chance na dadaan ito ng kalupaan. Ang magagawa nito mapapalakas ang southwest monsoon," he said. Weather site Typhoon2000 said that as of 6:30 a.m., Kulap packed winds of 85 kph and was moving north-northwest at 22 kph. Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said a monsoon trough is affecting Southern Luzon and Visayas. It said the monsoon may cause rain that may trigger flash floods and landslides over the western section of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas. "Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over the western section of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said. — LBG, GMA News