A low-pressure system under observation has intensified into Tropical Depression Henry, with projections indicating it will deliver strong to gale-force winds across nearly 10 regions in Luzon. The system, now classified as the nation’s eighth tropical cyclone this year, exhibits sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 55 kph.
As of Wednesday, the storm’s center was positioned 240 kilometers west-southwest of Abucay, Bataan. Forecasts indicate the system will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by late Wednesday or early Thursday, drifting further from the archipelago. Over the next 24 hours, Henry is anticipated to strengthen into a full tropical storm.
Coastal and upland zones remain under heightened scrutiny as the storm’s outer bands, combined with southwest monsoon activity, threaten to deliver severe weather conditions. Affected areas include Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA.
By Thursday, at least six provinces—Batanes, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Palawan—are expected to experience similar intense wind conditions. Authorities have issued urgent advisories for vulnerable communities, urging compliance with evacuation protocols and local government directives to mitigate risks.
