Storm Ferdie enters PAR; 2 more LPAs monitored

Tropical Storm Ferdie has entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) even as two more weather disturbances that may develop into lowpressure areas (LPAs) are being monitored, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

-  BELLA CARIASO

"At 6 p.m. (yesterday), Tropical Storm Bebinca entered the PAR and was assigned the domestic name of Tropical Storm Ferdie," the weather bureau said.

At a press conference, PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said Tropical Storm Ferdie has weakened into a tropical storm from a severe tropical storm.

Servando said Ferdie is expected to exit PAR today.

He added that despite the expected immediate exit of Tropical Storm Ferdie, it will enhance the southwest monsoon particularly in Mimaropa (Region 4-B), Southern Luzon, Western Visayas (Region 6), including Negros Island, Mindanao, particularly the western part of Mindanao.

For her part, PAGASA senior weather specialist Glaiza Escullar said that Tropical Storm Ferdie was located 1,435 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour and gustiness up to 105 km/h as it is moving northwestward at 35 km/h.