‘Habagat’ to continue to dampen Luzon

THE weather bureau said the southwest monsoon or “habagat” is “gradually weakening” as Super Typhoon Yagi (formerly Severe Tropical Storm Enteng) moves away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility but would still bring rains across Luzon on Friday.

“Heavy rains are still possible, particularly in Northern and Central Luzon,” Benison Estareja of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA is expecting occasional rains in the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan and scattered rains and thunderstorms in Metro Manila, Cordillera Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of the Ilocos Region and Central Luzon due to the “habagat.”

Moderate to heavy rains in those areas could result in flash floods or landslides.

Yagi’s trough is forecast to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms in Batanes and Babuyan Islands, according to PAGASA.

The rest of the country will experience localized thunderstorms.

Strong winds and rough seas will continue to prevail in the western section of Luzon, while the rest of Luzon will have moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate with slight to moderate seas.

Meanwhile, Estareja said the low-pressure area outside PAR would not affect the country’s weather and is not expected to enter in the next two days. (PNA)