The Low Pressure Area situated northwest of Batanes has developed into Tropical Depression Ester upon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), prompting the state weather bureau PAGASA to hoist Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over Batanes.
According to PAGASA’s 5:00 a.m. weather bulletin on Friday, June 5, Ester was spotted approximately 225 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes at around 4:00 a.m.
The tropical depression is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near its center, with gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is currently traveling northeastward at a speed of 20 kph.
With TCWS No. 1 in effect, residents of Batanes should prepare for strong winds between 39 and 61 kph within the next 36 hours. Authorities note that these conditions present a minimal to minor risk to life and property.
Furthermore, PAGASA alerted the public that the Southwest Monsoon (habagat), amplified by Ester, will trigger strong to gale-force gusts across large portions of Luzon today.
By Saturday, these strong gusts are anticipated to impact Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, and Occidental Mindoro. The windy weather is likely to persist through Sunday in several northern and western regions of Luzon.
Sea conditions are also worsening, with rough waves up to four meters high projected along the western coastlines of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands. Maritime authorities have warned operators of small seacraft, including motorbancas, to suspend voyages due to the perilous waters.
Ester is projected to maintain its northeastward trajectory and is highly likely to make landfall on the southwestern coast of Taiwan later today. The weather disturbance is expected to leave PAR by Saturday morning as it heads toward southern Japan.
Forecasters state that Ester will likely hold its current strength while traversing southern Taiwan before intensifying over the East China Sea, where it could upgrade into a tropical storm by Saturday.
Communities living in landslide and flood-prone zones are strongly urged to remain alert and strictly adhere to directives issued by local disaster management offices.