MANILA (Updated 11:15 a.m.) -- The state weather bureau said Thursday tropical depression "Domeng" has weakened slightly as it moves in a west southwest direction towards Cagayan.
In the 10 a.m. Thursday bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) spotted the weather disturbance at 230 kilometers southeast of Basco, Batanes.
It has a maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph).
The weather bureau still hoisted signal number 1 in 17 provinces of Northern Luzon that include Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Benguet, La Union, Mt. Province, Isabela, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Calayan Islands, and Batanes Group of Islands.
The weather bureau lowered the alert on provinces that was hoisted on storm signal number 2 on Wednesday.
Domeng is expected to be at 50 kilometers north of Apari, Cagayan on Friday morning and 130 kilometers north northwest of Laoag City on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, a low pressure area was estimated at 850 kilometers east of Luzon.
Domeng and the low pressure area would still enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the country.
The weather bureau alerted residents living in low lying and mountainous areas against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. (Sunnex)