NEWSFLASH

FIRST STORM ENTERS RP, BUT COULD VEER AWAY

Quezon City, May 8, 2000 The Philippines’ first tropical storm this year entered the country's area of responsibility yesterday and now bears the name ‘Asiang'.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Said "Asiang," will drift away from the country in the next few days, and is not likely to provide any relief from the intense heat prevailing since the beginning of April.

PAGASA said the storm comes as the country is experiencing the passing of the dry to the wet season. The wet season will start in late May and end in October, the weathermen said.

Due to the prevailing La Nina period, more than 20 storms are expected to cross or hit the country this year. At least 19 to 20 storms cross or hit the country every year.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, storm "Asiang" was located 750 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes at 13.7 N and 131.3 E). Asiang intensified into a storm Saturday morning.

Bearing winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of 110 kph, the storm is expected to move north-northwest at 7 kph.

PAGASA did not issue any storm signal warnings.

PAGASA said the heavy rains experienced in Metro Manila yesterday were caused by thunderstorms, which due to the intense heat caused clouds to pour rains.

Today, Eastern and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms. PAGASA said.

The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila will be mostly cloudy with rainshowers and thunderstorms.