Manila, Aug. 23 -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) - Disaster Response Command Center on Sunday announced a blue alert status as it monitors a new tropical cyclone (international name Saudel), which may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday at the earliest.

The alert status was lowered after the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council downgraded from red (highest) to blue (standby) on Thursday night, DSWD-Disaster Response and Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a news release.

The DSWD blue alert means watching weather tracks and local conditions closely; relief goods and family food packs (FFPs) are ready in warehouses; and teams talk with local leade...