Three tropical cyclones are enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing intense rainfall in parts of Luzon and thunderstorms in Visayas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday.
“These three tropical cyclones are enhancing the southwest monsoon, which will affect Luzon and the western section of Visayas,” Aldczar D. Aurelio, PAGASA weather specialist, said during a 5:00 a.m. press briefing in Filipino.
Tropical Depression Pilandok, the strongest among the storms being monitored, was packing 55 kilometres per hour (kph) of maximum sustained winds and 70 kph of gustiness.
It was last located 1,120 kilometers East of Extreme Northern Luzon, and is moving almost stationary.
Mr. Aurelio said that Pilandok is expected to intensify into a tropical storm by Tuesday, will relapse into a tropical depression, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Wednesday.
“There is a low chance that the storm will make landfall and a low chance of a tropical cyclone wind signal being hoisted,” Mr. Aurelio said.
Meanwhile, a second tropical depression was located 485 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, outside PAR. It was bearing 45 kph of maximum sustained winds and 55 kph of gustiness.
PAGASA still monitors Tropical Depression Saudel, formerly locally known as Obet, as it still enhances the southwest monsoon.
It was located 1,180 kilometers West of Extreme Northern Luzon, packing 45 kph of maximum sustained winds and 75 kph of gustiness.
Apart from three tropical depressions, PAGASA is also monitoring a low-pressure area outside PAR and was located 3,105 kilometers East of Eastern Visayas.
Mr. Aurelio said that the LPA has no direct effect on the country and is not enhancing the southwest monsoon.
Amid a tropical depression-enhanced southwest monsoon, PAGASA raised a rainfall warning to nearly 20 areas in Luzon.
Intense rainfall, or rainfall between 100 to 200 millimeters in the next 24 hours, is expected over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac and Pampanga.
Under this rainfall condition, numerous flood events and landslides are likely in high-risk areas, PAGASA said.
Heavy rainfall, or rainfall between 50 to 100 mm, is expected in Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan.
PAGASA warned of localized flooding and landslides in high-risk areas under these rainfall conditions.
The bureau also said that thunderstorms are expected over the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas due to the prevailing southwest monsoon being enhanced by Tropical depressions.
The rainfall warnings are also hoisted in similar areas until tomorrow, posing similar hazards.— Edg Adrian A. Eva
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