The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Aug. 31 that severe tropical storm Hanna (international name: Haikui) is unlikely to make landfall.
However, it may partly enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which may cause heavy rains in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon over the next three days.
“Hanna is forecast to accelerate west northwestward and exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday morning or afternoon (Sept. 2), while passing close to the Yaeyama or Miyako Islands in the southern Ryukyu archipelago,” PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.
It pointed out that aside from Hanna, two tropical cyclones outside the PAR—super typhoon Saola (previously “Goring”) and severe tropical storm Kirogi—are intensifying the southwest monsoon.
Due to the continuous enhancement of the habagat, occasional monsoon rains may persist over Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon until Sunday, Sept. 3.
Heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may continue to affect Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.
“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.