Nando Chases Maring Inside Philippines, Two Storms May Merge

(UPDATE) Another tropical depression has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and may merge with Tropical Storm Maring threatening the country's eastern seaboard, PAGASA said Saturday.

Tropical Depression Nando, the 14th storm of the year, was spotted 895 kilometers east of Central Luzon at 4 p.m. packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center with gusts up to 55 kph as it moves west southwestward at 20 kph, the state weather bureau said.

Nando is embedded within the larger circulation of a monsoon depression along with Tropical Storm Maring, located 745 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar as of 4 p.m.

Maring packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts up to 105 kph moving east at 20  kph.

While Nando is unlikely to directly affect the country Saturday, it may "likely be assimilated and merged into the circulation of Maring," PAGASA said.

"Maring may likely persist in the merger event with Nando, which may take place within the next 36 hours. The resulting merger cyclone is forecast to continue intensifying within the forecast period and may reach severe tropical storm category within 36 hours," it added.

No storm warning signals have been hoisted so far, but PAGASA urged the public to take necessary measures to ensure their safety and of their property.