PAGASA: Enhanced Southwest Monsoon to Bring Intense Rainfall Over Luzon
Key Takeaways
- •PAGASA forecast 100 to 200 mm of rainfall within 24 hours over La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro, raising risks of flooding and landslides.
- •Thirteen additional areas, including Metro Manila, may receive 50 to 100 mm of rain, with localized flooding and landslides expected in high-risk zones.
- •The low-pressure area enhancing the monsoon was last located 720 km east of Itbayat, Batanes, and is likely to become a tropical depression by the weekend.
- •If the system enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it will be named Pilandok, becoming the country's 16th tropical cyclone this year, but it is not expected to make landfall.
- •PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to monitor further weather advisories as conditions evolve.
The southwest monsoon, enhanced by a low-pressure area (LPA), will bring intense rainfall to parts of Luzon, posing risks of numerous flooding and landslide events, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday.
In its 5 a.m. Weather Advisory, PAGASA said more than a dozen areas are expected to experience heavy to intense rainfall due to the effects of the southwest monsoon. The southwest monsoon, known locally as "habagat," typically affects the Philippines from June to September and is a recurring driver of seasonal flooding in the western portions of the archipelago, including Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
Intense rainfall is forecast over La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, and Occidental Mindoro, where 100 to 200 millimeters of rain may be recorded within the next 24 hours. For comparison, PAGASA classifies rainfall of this magnitude within a 24-hour period as "intense," well above levels that routinely trigger widespread flooding. PAGASA warned that under these conditions, numerous flooding events and landslides are likely, particularly in urbanized and low-lying areas. Benguet, a mountainous province in the Cordillera region, is historically prone to landslides during periods of prolonged heavy rain.
Meanwhile, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique may receive 50 to 100 mm of rainfall. Under these conditions, localized flooding and landslides are expected in high-risk areas.
The LPA enhancing the monsoon was last located 720 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes, and is likely to develop into a tropical depression by the weekend, PAGASA said. If the system enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it will be assigned the local name Pilandok, becoming the country's 16th tropical cyclone of the year. The Philippines averages around 20 tropical cyclones entering or forming within its area of responsibility annually, making it one of the most storm-exposed countries in the world. However, PAGASA said the system is not expected to make landfall throughout its duration.
Residents in affected areas are advised to monitor further PAGASA advisories as the monsoon and the developing weather system evolve over the coming days. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
