MANILA — A low pressure area east of Quezon has intensified into a tropical depression (TD) named Mirasol, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

As of 4 p.m., Mirasol was spotted 210 kilometers east northeast of Infanta, Quezon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph, according to PAGASA.

Signal No. 1 is hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, northern and central Aurora, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Polillo Islands, the northern portion of Camarines Norte, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

The southwest monsoon will also bring strong to gale-force gusts across southern Quezon, the rest of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, the southern portion of Mindoro, and Panay Island.

Moderate seas are expected over the seaboards of Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Batanes, eastern Isabela, Aurora, and the northern coast of Ilocos Norte. PAGASA warned operators of small vessels to take precautions before sailing.

Mirasol is forecast to make landfall in Isabela or northern Aurora on Wednesday and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday, PAGASA added. (PNA)