The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Sept. 1 that the cyclone-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” may continue to bring occasional rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon for the next three days.
The habagat is still being enhanced by typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) and two tropical cyclones outside the country’s area of responsibility—typhoon Saola (formerly “Goring) and severe tropical storm Kirogi.
In its weather advisory issued at 11 p.m., PAGASA said occasional heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may prevail over Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro until Sunday, Sept. 3.
Meanwhile, occasional moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may persist in Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.
By Monday, Sept. 4, Zambales and Bataan may continue to experience occasional heavy to intense rains, while Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, and northern Palawan, including Cuyo and Calamian Islands may have occasional moderate to heavy rains.
“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA warned.
Signal No. 1 over Batanes not ruled out
PAGASA in its 11 p.m. bulletin said Hanna has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.
It is currently moving westward at 15 kph and was last spotted 595 kilometers east-northeast of Basco, Batanes.
The typhoon is still not expected to directly bring heavy rains and strong winds throughout the forecast period, but a further southward shift in the track forecast may result in the hoisting of tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 over Batanes, PAGASA said.
Meanwhile, the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring gusty conditions over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the northern portion of Eastern Visayas until early next week.
Hanna will likely leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday or Monday.