Super typhoon Mawar may induce 'habagat' rains
Published May 24, 2023 12:57 am
Although there is a possibility that it will not hit land, the super typhoon off the Pacific Ocean will strengthen the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat,” which could bring rains to some parts of the country by weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday, May 24.
“Sa ngayon ay maliit pa ang tsansa na mag-landfall ito sa kalupaan ng Pilipinas pero mas tinitignan natin posible itong mag-trigger ng pagpapalakas ng hanging habagat o southwest monsoon by Sunday or Monday (Right now, there is still little chance of it making landfall in the Philippines, but we are looking more closely at the possibility that it could trigger the strengthening of the southwest monsoon by Sunday, May 28 or Monday, May 29),” PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said in a public weather forecast.
“Next week ay posibleng maulan lalo na sa bahagi ng western sections of Luzon and Visayas, at maaaring umabot din sa Mindanao (It is possible that rains may prevail over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas, and may also reach Mindanao, next week),” he added.
Super typhoon Mawar was last spotted approximately 2,215 kilometers east of Visayas or still outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 185 per hour (kph) near the center and gusts as high as 230 kph.
As Mawar is moving slowly northwest, it is more likely to enter the PAR by Saturday, May 27, Badrina said.
He added that the super typhoon will be given the local name “Betty” once inside the PAR.
In the next 24 hours, rains may still prevail over parts of extreme northern Luzon and western section of the country due to the southwesterly wind flow and frontal system.
Rains may affect Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
PAGASA warned that flash floods or landslides could occur in these areas as a result of moderate to heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience warm and humid weather with possible isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
The public is still advised to exercise caution during severe thunderstorms, as these may also trigger landslides or flash floods, especially in areas that are vulnerable to these hazards.