Tropical Depression Neneng is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), bringing stronger rainfall across parts of Luzon and the western section of Visayas despite not making direct landfall in the Philippines, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported that the center of the tropical depression was located 530 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwestward over the sea east of Southern Taiwan at 30 kilometers per hour.
Neneng packed maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja clarified that while the tropical depression is not expected to hit the country directly, it will draw more moisture toward the archipelago and pull monsoon rains over large swathes of Luzon and Visayas.
“Yung mga pag-ulan na ating nararanasan sa Luzon at western section ng Visayas ay dahil pa rin sa Southwest Monsoon or hanging Habagat na siya pong bahagyang hinihila nitong si bagyong Neneng,” Estareja said.
Estareja added that the enhanced Habagat is likely to dump heavier downpours particularly over western Central Luzon and Pangasinan.
According to PAGASA’s forecast, Neneng will continue moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period. It may pass close to or make landfall along the northern coast of Taiwan by Thursday afternoon or evening.
The weather bureau expects Neneng to remain a tropical depression within the next 36 hours before weakening into a remnant low over or near Taiwan by Friday morning, though an earlier weakening has not been ruled out.