The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday, June 21, warned of continued rains in several parts of the country due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the easterlies.

PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said cloud formations over the western part of the Philippines are bringing rainy weather to Palawan, Western Visayas, and Mindanao.

“Makikita natin ngayon sa ating satellite animation itong mga kaulapan sa kanluran ng ating bansa. Ito’y dulot ng Inter Tropicql Convergence Zone or ITCZ at ito ay magdadala pa rin ng maulan na panahon dito sa Palawan, maging sa kanlurang bahagi ng Visayas at Mindanao (We can see in our satellite animation the cloud formation over the western part of the country. This is caused by the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ and will continue to bring rainy weather over Palawan, and the western parts of Visayas and Mindanao),” she said.

The state weather bureau advised residents in the said areas to take precautions due to potential flooding and landslides.

“Kaya doble ingat pa rin po para sa ating mga kababayan diyan sa mga banta ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa (So we urge our fellow citizens to take extra caution due to the threat of flooding and landslides),” she said.

Meanwhile, Castañeda said the easterlies, or warm winds coming from the Pacific Ocean, are also expected to cause thunderstorms in Southern Luzon.

As of writing, the agency said that southwest monsoon or habagat has not yet begun to affect any part of the country.

But PAGASA said it could start influencing the weather in Southern Luzon and Visayas by tomorrow, June 22.

In the following days, rainfall may also increase over parts of Central Luzon, the weather specialist added.

“At sa mga susunod na araw, posible din dito sa kanluran ng Central Luzon kaya ine-expect po nating maging sa mga susunod na araw ay patuloy pa rin magiging maulan ‘yung panahon dito sa may kanluran ng Southern Luzon at Visayas (In the coming days, it may also affect the western part of Central Luzon, so we expect continued rainy weather in the western parts of Southern Luzon and Visayas).”

Despite the rainy conditions, PAGASA said there is currently no tropical cyclone or low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored within or near the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

“Sa kasalukuyan, wala po tayong mino-monitor na bagyo o low-pressure area na maaring makaapekto dito sa ating bansa (As of now, we are not monitoring any tropical cyclone or low-pressure area that may affect the country),” said Castañeda.