Manila: The southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat', is set to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to various regions of the Philippines on Monday, as reported by the national weather bureau.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 4 a.m. bulletin, indicated that the habagat will affect Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Soccsksargen, Davao Region, and the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. The bureau has warned that moderate to heavy rains in these areas could potentially lead to flash floods or landslides.

PAGASA also noted that the habagat may result in isolated rain showers or thunderstorms across other parts of the country, with severe thunderstorms posing a risk of flash floods or landslides. Light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas are expected to prevail throughout the archipelago.

In a related development, a low-pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical depression as of Sunday night. However, PAGASA forecaster Daniel Villamil stated that the cyclone is unlikely to enter the PAR, and it is not expected to impact any part of the country in the coming days.

In response to the weather conditions, there has been a suspension of classes. Due to the forecast of "moderate to heavy rains with lightning and strong winds" in the province of Cavite, classes from preschool to senior high school in both public and private institutions have been suspended. Governor Athena Tolentino announced via social media that the suspension does not automatically apply to college and university classes, which will be at the discretion of each institution's administration.