Typhoon Saudel may enter PAR, enhance 'habagat' next week—PAGASA
By Jel Santos
(DOST-PAGASA)
A typhoon with the international name “Saudel” may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday and strengthen the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” which could bring rain over large parts of Luzon next week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday, Aug. 22.
PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said “Saudel” was last spotted at 3 a.m. about 2,710 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.
“Ito ngang bagyong ito ay posibleng pumasok ng ating Philippine Area of Responsibility around Monday (This typhoon may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility around Monday),” she said.
“And by next week nga, posible na nitong ma-enhance ‘yung southwest monsoon o habagat na magpapaulan [sa] malaking bahagi ng ating bansa, lalong-lalo na sa may Luzon area (And by next week, it may enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat, bringing rain over a large part of the country, particularly Luzon),” she added.
According to PAGASA, it is also monitoring a tropical depression 1,195 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.
“So, hindi tinatanggal ‘yung possibility na ito ay papasok sa ating area of responsibility (So, we are not ruling out the possibility that it may enter our area of responsibility),” Torres said.
Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said that the low-pressure area (LPA) formerly known as “Neneng” was 735 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes. It is no longer expected to reenter PAR and continues to move away from the country.
The agency noted that the “habagat” continues to affect Northern and Central Luzon, bringing rain to parts of both regions.