MANILA – Tropical Depression Dindo has strengthened into a tropical storm and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday (19 Aug 2024) morning, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Now named Tropical Storm Jongdari internationally, Dindo is located approximately 640 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

The storm has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching up to 80 kph.

Its strong to gale-force winds extend up to 320 kilometers from the center as it moves northeastward at 10 kph.

PAGASA reports that no wind signals have been raised across the country, as Dindo is not expected to directly impact the Philippines.

The storm, the fourth to enter PAR this year, will likely continue moving northward and exit PAR within the next six hours.

Once outside PAR, Dindo is projected to head towards the East China Sea, with possible paths leading either to the Korean Peninsula or the eastern coast of China.

PAGASA also noted that while the storm is expected to maintain its current strength, a weakening trend is possible within the next 24 hours as it moves further away from the PAR region.

ia/mnm