The southwest monsoon or “habagat” being enhanced by typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) may continue to bring “significant amounts of rain” over the next three days as the typhoon slowed down near Taiwan on Sunday, Sept. 3, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Hanna was moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph) and was last spotted 220 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gusts of up to 190 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remains hoisted over Batanes and Babuyan Islands as Hanna’s strong winds continue to affect the extreme Northern Luzon.

Enhanced ‘habagat’

PAGASA said Hanna is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and gusty winds to Batanes and Babuyan Islands in the next 24 hours.

The southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by typhoon Hanna may also continue to bring heavy rains and gusty conditions over parts of Luzon and Western Visayas for the next three days.

Occasional heavy to intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may persist in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while moderate to heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may prevail over Metro Manila, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Romblon, Antique, and the northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.

The rest of Western Visayas and Luzon may also experience scattered monsoon rains and thunderstorms.

“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.

PAR exit

PAGASA said Hanna may continue to move northwestward until it makes landfall at or near its peak intensity over Taiwan Sunday afternoon or evening.

“On the track forecast, the typhoon will cross the rugged terrain of southern Taiwan tonight (Sept. 3), resulting in its considerable weakening,” it said.

Hanna is expected to emerge over the Taiwan Strait and leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Sunday evening or early morning on Monday, Sept. 4.

Outside of the PAR, the typhoon may slow down, but the weakening trend is likely to continue after its landfall over Taiwan, PAGASA said.