By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Tropical cyclone ‘Soulik’ has further intensified into a typhoon and will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that is affecting the western part of Luzon.
(satellite image from PAGASA/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Before Tuesday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Soulik at 1,300 kilometers (km) northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.
It is still not expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility as it continues to move northwest.
PAGASA said Soulik will continue to enhance the habagat that could bring occasional moderate to heavy rains over Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Babuyan islands and Batanes.
Residents living near river channels, low-lying and mountainous areas should take appropriate actions against possible flooding and landslide, PAGASA said.
The habagat will also bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Southern Luzon.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised seafarers that strong to gale force winds will cause rough seas over the extreme Northern Luzon, while moderate to strong seas will prevail over the rest of Luzon due to habagat.
Meanwhile, coastlines across Visayas and Mindanao will be light to moderate.
PAGASA weather specialist Chris Perez said they are monitoring another tropical cyclone with international name ‘Cimaron.’
Its location was estimated at 2,595 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon early Tuesday.
Perez said Cimaron has a slim chance of entering the country’s area of responsibility but may enhance the habagat in the next few days.