Tropical Storm Chedeng (international codename: Songda) maintained its strength as it moves closer to central Philippines Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric , Geophysical and Astronomical Services said.

In an 11 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa said the storm was moving west-northwest 17 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 120 kph.

As of 10 p.m., Chedeng was located 640 kilometers east of Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Chedeng is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon and will bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao.

It was forecast to be 360 kilometers northeast of Borongan on Tuesday evening, 380 km north of Borongan and 200 km north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes on Wednesay evening and 80 km northeast of Tuguegarao City on Thursday evening.

In the eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao, Pagasa advised fishing boats and other seacraft against sailing into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.