Josie Exits PAR After Weakening Into LPA

Tropical storm Josie weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) on Tuesday, July 14, and exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as of 2 a.m. today, July 15, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said Josie weakened due to the high vertical wind shear or a significant change in wind speed or direction as altitude increases.

Josie entered PAR as a tropical storm at 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday and was downgraded to a tropical depression at 8 a.m.

It weakened to an LPA at 2 p.m. and was last located at 1,095 kilometers east of Southern Luzon.

Meanwhile, a new tropical depression recently formed outside of PAR and was last located at 940 km west northwest of extreme Northern Luzon in the vicinity of Guangdong, China.

It continued to go up to mainland China and may weaken to an LPA.

Estareja said no LPA is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone and enter PAR next week.

However, the country is still expecting one tropical cyclone to enter PAR by the end of the month.

Inday deaths, missing

Meanwhile, the number of reported deaths due to landslides, flooding and other related incidents caused by Typhoon Inday and the enhanced southwest monsoon rose to 23 on Tuesday, with at least 18 people still missing.

Among the fatalities were 10 landslide victims including children in Malapatan, Sarangani and six others in Calanogas, Lanao del Sur.

Latest reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said eight of those missing are from Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental along with Calanogas, Lanao del Sur.