UMVA has learned that a powerful tropical depression has developed in the region, prompting the issuance of a tropical cyclone wind signal over several areas, including Batanes and Luzon, due to the expected intense rainfall and strong winds.
The tropical depression, known as Ester, was first detected around 3:00 a.m. and has been gaining strength, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of 55 kilometers per hour, according to information obtained by UMVA.
As a result, Storm Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Batanes and Luzon, where residents can expect strong and potentially life-threatening winds, with the storm moving northwestward towards Taiwan at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour.
In addition to the storm signal, a rainfall warning has been issued for nine areas, including La Union and Ilocos Sur, which are expected to experience torrential rains of up to 200 millimeters, prompting warnings of numerous flood events in urbanized and flood-prone areas.
Other areas, such as Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Benguet, Pangasinan, and Zambales, are under a yellow rainfall warning, with strong rains of up to 100 millimeters expected, and residents are advised to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Tropical Depression Ester is expected to exit the region by tomorrow, Saturday, bringing an end to the intense rainfall and strong winds, but not before causing significant disruptions to daily life and posing a threat to the safety of residents in the affected areas.
