Manila: Many areas, especially in Luzon and the western section of the Visayas and Mindanao, will experience heavy rains and strong winds due to the prevailing southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Emong, the weather bureau announced.
According to Philippines News Agency, "Heavy rains would mostly affect the western section of Luzon, parts of Southern Luzon, and some parts of Western Visayas and Western Mindanao," stated Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather services chief Chris Perez during a Palace briefing. For the next 24 hours, regions such as Bicol and Palawan might also be subject to heavy rainfall, potentially resulting in floods and landslides.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, PAGASA forecaster Benison Estareja noted that the southwest monsoon is being enhanced by Tropical Storms Dante (international name Francisco) and Emong. He emphasized that rains will continue across Metro Manila and advised coordination with local government units about possible rescue and evacuation efforts. Emong is forecasted to bring rains with gusty winds to the Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, while Cagayan Valley may experience scattered rains and thunderstorms.
Monsoon rains will affect areas including Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro. Occasional rains caused by the southwest monsoon will also occur in Western Visayas, Nueva Ecija, Aurora, Quezon, and the rest of Mimaropa. Emong has intensified into a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness up to 80 kph. As of 4 p.m., it was located 150 km west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Strong winds will prevail in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the northern and western portions of Pangasinan, among others. The southwest monsoon will also bring gale-force gusts across Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, the Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, and Davao Oriental. A gale warning is in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.
Emong could potentially make landfall over Ilocos Sur, La Union, or Pangasinan by Thursday night or early Friday. Meanwhile, Dante has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness up to 80 kph. It is accelerating north northwestward at 25 kph and was last located 835 km east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon. Dante might slightly intensify in the next 12 hours and is forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday, as reported by PAGASA.
