Weather: 'Onyok' moving slowly, may intensify into storm

Tropical Depression Onyok is moving slowly over extreme northern Luzon and may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours, state weather forecasters said Tuesday. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Buddy Javier said Onyok, which entered Philippine territory Monday night, is moving at a virtually stationary 7 kph. "Medyo may kabagalan ito, almost stationary ('Onyok' is moving very slowly, it is almost stationary)," Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. A PAGASA tweet indicated Onyok was packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center. Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin indicated that as of 2 a.m. Tuesday, Onyok was estimated at 1,170 km east-northeast of Basco, Batanes. It was forecast to move west at 7 kph. In a separate radio interview, Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. cited their data indicating Onyok may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 24 hours. Yumul also said Onyok may enhance the southwest monsoon that may trigger rain over Metro Manila and parts of Luzon from Wednesday to Friday. "Kung walang pagbabago, inaasahan nating si 'Onyok' [ay] magiging tropical storm. Lalakas siya mag-intensify siya within 24 hours at mananatili sa Philippine area of responsibility hanggang Huwebes ng hapon (If there is no change, we expect 'Onyok' to become a tropical storm within 24 hours and stay in Philippine territory until at least Thursday afternoon)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. Still, Yumul maintained that Onyok is not likely to make landfall on any part of the country, adding it is heading for Southern Japan. "Mula Miyerkules hanggang Biyernes, hihigupin ni 'Onyok' by that time tropical storm siya, hihigupin ang habagat at ang habagat pagtama sa Pilipinas ay magdudulot ng ulan (From Wednesday to Friday, 'Onyok' would have become a tropical storm and enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rain)," he said. — RSJ, GMA News