‘Pilandok’ to intensify into tropical storm - Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Depression Pilandok is expected to intensify and become a tropical storm on Tuesday, Sept. 1, as it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.Weather specialist Aldczar D. Aurelio said that "Pilandok" slightly intensified over the sea, with winds near its center reaching 55 kilometers per hour (km/h).Aurelio said that it will strengthen further and become a tropical storm on Tuesday before weakening into a tropical depression on Wednesday.If the storm maintains its movement and direction, it is expected to move outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.He said the chance of "Pilandok" was low.Another tropical depression with winds reaching 45 km/h located 485 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes has also enhanced the southwest monsoon, along with former Severe Tropical Storm Obet.Pagasa said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains in much of Luzon, including Metro Manila.Heavy to intense rains were expected Monday in Ilocos Region, much of the Cordillera, including Batanes, and much of Central Luzon.