MANILA - Tropical Storm Inday has maintained strength as it moved farther away from the Philippines, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

The storm, which is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning, continues to pack maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph, PAGASA said.

Inday was last located at 1,025 kms east of Basco, Batanes as of 3 p.m. It is moving northeast at a speed of 25 kph.

No tropical cyclone warning signal has been raised even as rains drenched parts of Luzon as Inday enhanced the southwest monsoon or habagat.

The weather bureau warned of moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Bataan, Zambales, Batanes, and the Babuyan Group of Islands.

Light to moderate and at times heavy rains, meanwhile, may persist occasionally over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA also issued a gale warning over the western seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, particularly Isabela, Aurora, Zambales, and Bataan.

Inday, the third storm to hit the country this month, has triggered floods and forced the cancellation of classes in some areas.

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PAGASA earlier said that the Philippines may experience up to four storms this month.

Visit the ABS-CBN Weather Center for the latest weather updates.