Tropical Depression “Gener” has left the country’s area of responsibility, while Tropical Storm “Helen” (international name “Pulasan”) is expected to follow in the next few hours, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, Sept. 18.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said Gener exited around 2 a.m., while Helen may leave the PAR between Wednesday afternoon and evening.
As of 3 a.m., the center of the tropical depression was located 405 kilometers west of Bacnotan La Union, while the storm was located 1,155 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon.
Although both weather systems are moving away from the country, Estareja warned that they may continue to enhance the effects of the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” which could bring rains across parts of the country in the next 24 hours.
He warned of possible flooding or landslides, particularly in areas classified as “highly” or “very highly” susceptible, as well as those that have received significant rainfall recently.
Over the next 24 hours, heavy to intense rains may persist in Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique.
Occasional light to heavy rains may also affect Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Batangas, Zambales, Pangasinan, and the rest of Western Visayas.
Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered light to heavy rains and thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Cordillera Administrative Region, Bicol Region, and the rest of Visayas, Central Luzon, and Ilocos Region.
The rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.