MANILA – Tropical Depression “Neneng” is moving westward east of Batanes while the Southwest Monsoon continues to bring rains over Luzon and the Visayas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Neneng was estimated 675 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It was moving westward at 15 kph.

PAGASA said Neneng was outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Heavy rains in parts of Luzon

Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro will experience monsoon rains due to the Southwest Monsoon, with possible flash floods and landslides caused by heavy to intense rainfall.

Metro Manila, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas and Oriental Mindoro will have occasional rains, also due to the Southwest Monsoon. Moderate to heavy rains may trigger flash floods and landslides.

The rest of Luzon, along with Antique and Aklan, will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, with possible flash floods and landslides during moderate to at times heavy rainfall.

Mindanao and the rest of the Visayas will generally have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. Severe thunderstorms may also cause flash floods or landslides.

Rough seas

PAGASA forecast moderate to strong winds over the northern and western sections of Luzon, with southwest winds and moderate to rough coastal waters reaching 1.5 to 3 meters.

The eastern section of the country will experience moderate winds from the southwest, with moderate seas of 1.5 to 2.5 meters.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate from the south to southwest, with slight to moderate coastal waters ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to remain alert for possible flooding and landslides, particularly in areas already receiving heavy rainfall.