MANILA (Updated) - Tropical Depression Ester has maintained its strength as it moves away from the Philippines, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.
In its weather bulletin issued at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) located the center of Tropical Depression Ester at 270 kilometers (km) North Northeast of Basco, Batanes.
It has maximum winds of 55 kilometer per hour (kph) near the center. The public storm warning Signal no. 1 earlier raised in Batanes province is now lifted.
Ester will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to heavy rains over Batanes group of Islands, Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Metro Manila while the rest of Luzon will have occasional rains.
The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 a.m. Wednesday.(Sunnex)