Egay-enhanced Southwest Monsoon to Bring More Rains over Luzon, Visayas

Manila (PNA) — Rains will continue in most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila and the Visayas due to southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” enhanced by Tropical Storm “Egay” which maintained its strength and remains almost stationary over Luzon sea, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Meno Mendoza said that as of 5 a.m. the center of TS “Egay” was located at 145km southwest of Laoag, Ilocos Norte (17.8°N, 119.3°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center while its gustiness up to 100 kph.

He added it is expected to move northwest at 7 kph. With its present movement and speed it is expected to make landfall in Batanes.

He also said it is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening towards Taiwan.

Mendoza said the weather bureau continues to monitor the severe tropical storm with international name Cham-hom outside PAR.

“Hindi magpapang-abot yung dalawang bagyo sa loob ng PAR kung sakaling pumasok na yung isang bagyo na nasa labas si Bagyong Egay ay nakalabas na at maaaring nasa Taiwan na,” he explained.

Once Chan-hom enters PAR it will be locally named “Falcon”, the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second for is month of July.

Three to five tropical cyclones are expected to affect the country this month.

He said that public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120 kph winds is expected in 24 hours) has been raised over the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra.

Storm surges are possible in coastal areas with open sea.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in at least 36 hours) remains hoisted in the provinces of Pangasinan, Isabela, Benguet, La Union, Mt. Province and Ifugao.

Residents in mountainous and low lying areas of the provinces under PSWS #1 & 2 as well as of the rest of Northern and Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km diameter of the storm.

Fisherfolks and small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

He said that most parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will continue to experience rains due to southwest monsoon enhanced by Egay.

For Monday forecast, stormy weather with rough to very rough seas will prevail over Ilocos provinces, Abra, Kalinga, Apayao, Batanes and Cagayan including Calayan & Babuyan group of islands. La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Mt. province, Ifugao & Benguet will have rains with gusty winds and moderate to rough seas.

Moderate to heavy monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Visayas. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Mindanao.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC