An active low pressure area (ALPA) in Mindanao has developed into a tropical depression, named "Domeng," Science and Technology Undersecretary for Research and Development (R & D) Dr. Graciano Yumul announced yesterday,

In a text message received by the Bulletin yesterday afternoon, Yumul said that an "appropriate bulletin had been sent" to different government agency heads, including DoST Secretary Estrella Alabastro, Governors Rosette Lerias of Southern Leyte and Bellaflor Angara-Castillo of Aurora province as the "trackline (of the tropical depression) as of 12:15 p.m" yesterday showed it will hit Bicol- northeastern Luzon and will landfall in Samar today.

"LPA strengthened. We have tropical depression named ‘Domeng’ now. Signal No. 1 over Samar, northern Leyte, and Southern Bicol," said Yumul, also supervising undersecretary of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Meanwhile, based on PAGASA’s Weather Bulletin No. 2 yesterday, "Domeng" maintained its strength and was estimated at 150 kilometers (kms) east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

With maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, the tropical depression was forecast to move west-northwest at 11 kph, weathermen said.

They added that rains and gusty winds, as well as moderate to rough sea conditions, are expected over the Bicol region and eastern Visayas due to the weather disturbance.

The rest of southern Luzon, the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with rainshowers and thunderstorms, while the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

"Domeng" is expected to be at 50 kms. southwest of Borongan, Eastern Samar this afternoon and at 90 kms southwest of Legazpi City, Albay, tomorrow afternoon. By tomorrow afternoon, the tropical depression is expected to be at 30 kms. southwest of Infanta, Quezon, weather experts said.

Storm Signal No.1 one has been raised in Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Burias island, Catanduanes, Samar and Leyte provinces, Biliran island, northern Cebu, and Dinagat island.

Initially seen as an active low pressure area at 520 kms east of northern Mindanao at 2 a.m. yesterday, "Domeng" was immediately upgraded by the weather bureau as a tropical depression yesterday afternoon.

It is the fourth tropical depression to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.