The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration on Wednesday, Aug. 24 lifted all tropical cyclone wind signals in northern Luzon as severe tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on) moved further away from the country.
PAGASA in its 11 a.m. bulletin said Florita was last spotted 490 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan.
“Despite the lifting of wind signals, gusts reaching strong breeze to near gale-force strength may still be experienced, especially in the coastal and mountainous areas, over Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Cavite, Quezon, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Aurora, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Cagayan Valley,” the State weather bureau said.
In the next 24 hours, the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” may continue to bring rains over the western sections of Luzon.
PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains may prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Occidental Mindoro, Zambales, Bataan, and northern Palawan.
“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in areas with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA warned.