TROPICAL Depression “Dante” remains far from the lands and shores of the Philippines but could further intensify the southwest monsoon or “habagat”, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration Services (Pagasa) said.

The state weather bureau reported that as of 5 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, Dante was last seen about 880 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon and has maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.

Dante is moving northwestward at 25 kph and is expected to approach Ibayat, in the coming days.

No wind signal was issued yet as Dante presents no immediate wind threat to the country in the coming hours, Pagasa weather specialist Loriedin De La Cruz-Galicia explained.

Dante's position may further strengthen the habagat, which has been causing heavy rains across Luzon and Visayas over the past week.

The Pagasa also warned that moderate to rough seas may be experienced in multiple coastal areas in the country.

Aside from Dante and habagat, the Pagasa is also monitoring two low-pressure areas (LPAs).

An LPA located near the coastal waters of the Calayan Island has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours. It will be named “Emong” if it develops into a tropical cyclone.

The other LPA was spotted 2,525 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas. It has medium chances of developing into a tropical depression, the Pagasa said.(Marlon Ado Jr., USC Comm Intern)

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