Southwest Monsoon Continues to Bring Rains Over Luzon Tuesday

(PNA) — Flashfloods and landslides threaten the western part of Central of Luzon due to monsoon rains brought by southwest monsoon, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shaira Nonot said that although Typhoon “Ineng” has moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon affecting Luzon.

The southwest monsoon — better known as “hangin habagat” — brings rains to the country from April to October.

With the presence of southwest monsoon, she warned occasional rains will likely be experienced in Pangasinan, La Union, Zambales and Bataan which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

She added occasional rains is expected over Metro Manila, Mindoro, Marindueque, Romblon, Palawan and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) while cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of Luzon.

The remaining parts of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

She noted a gradual weather improvement can be expected by Thursday as most part of the country will experience fair weather with isolated thunderstorms.

She added they have not monitored any weather disturbance near the country which may affect the country in the next three days.

Nonot said the state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of southwest monsoon still enhanced by Ineng as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong to gale force winds — expected to affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.

“Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned.

In its advisory, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the south to southwest with slight to moderate seas. (PNA) JBP/CLTC