The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical storm with the international name “Bebinca” entered the country’s area of responsibility at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, and was given the local name “Ferdie,” the country’s sixth tropical cyclone of the year.
However, PAGASA said Ferdie may soon exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Saturday morning, Sept. 14, as it moves northwestward at 35 kilometers per hour (kph).
As of 10 p.m., PAGASA located the center of the storm 1,285 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon.
Ferdie has maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gusts of up to 105 kph.
Although the storm is expected to stay within the PAR briefly and remain far from the country’s landmass, PAGASA warned that the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) could continue to bring rains to several areas in the coming days.
From now until Saturday evening, heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) may affect Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, southern Quezon, Western Visayas, and Negros Island Region (NIR).
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, the rest of Quezon, Bicol Region, the rest of Visayas, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi.
From Saturday evening to Sunday evening, Sept. 15, heavy to intense rains may persist in Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan, Aklan, and Antique.
Moderate to heavy rainfall may continue in southern Quezon, Bicol Region, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Palawan, NIR, and the rest of Western Visayas.
From Sunday evening to Monday evening, Sept. 16, heavy to intense rainfall may still occur in Occidental Mindoro and northern Palawan.
Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, the rest of Palawan, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Negros Occidental, and Western Visayas may experience moderate to heavy rainfall.
PAGASA warned of possible flooding or landslides, especially in areas classified as “highly or very highly susceptible” to these hazards and areas that have received substantial rainfall in the past few days.
In a press conference on Friday morning, PAGASA said a potential weather disturbance may continue to enhance the effects of habagat and cause extended rainy conditions until next week.