The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Aug. 31, that three tropical cyclones near the country are enhancing the effect of the southwest monsoon, or "habagat," which is causing rains in several areas.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the habagat being enhanced by super typhoon Goring (international name: Saola), which is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), is also being slightly enhanced by severe tropical storm Hanna (international name: Haikui) and a tropical storm with the international name Kirogi.
On Wednesday evening, Aug. 30, Hanna entered the PAR after Goring left, while the tropical storm Kirogi remains outside the PAR.
READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/31/goring-exits-hanna-enters-par-pagasa
Heavy rains to persist
PAGASA said the trough or extension of Goring will continue to bring scattered to widespread rains over Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao in the next 24 hours.
Meanwhile, heavy to intense monsoon rains may prevail over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy monsoon rains may persist in Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
The habagat may also bring moderate to, at times, heavy rains to Antique, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon.
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.
Hanna landfall less likely
As of 5 a.m., severe tropical storm Hanna was located 1,225 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 115 kph.
It may reach typhoon status, while inside the PAR, PAGASA said.
Based on the latest forecast track, Hanna may remain far from the Philippine landmass and may exit the PAR Friday afternoon or evening, Sept. 1.
Meanwhile, super typhoon Goring was last spotted 335 kilometers west of Itbayat, Batanes, or outside the PAR.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 240 kph.
On the other hand, Kirogi is still outside the PAR and was last located 3,240 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.