Neneng strengthens, boosting monsoon rains across Luzon and Metro Manila

Tropical Depression "Neneng" maintained its strength while moving northwestward toward Taiwan, enhancing the southwest monsoon that has been causing widespread rain and flooding across Metro Manila and Luzon in recent days. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported on Wednesday, August 19, that the storm was not expected to make direct landfall in the Philippines, but its continued proximity would sustain hazardous weather conditions.

As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the center of "Neneng" was located approximately 530 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. The weather bureau noted the storm had maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center with gusts reaching 70 kilometers per hour, moving northwest at 30 kilometers per hour. PAGASA forecast that the depression would move generally west-northwestward, possibly passing close to or making landfall over the northern coast of Taiwan by Thursday afternoon or evening, August 20, before weakening into a remnant low over or near Taiwan by Friday morning, August 21.

While no tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised for the Philippines, the primary...