Rains to drench parts of PH as ITCZ prevails

MANILA, Philippines — Rains are expected over parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao on Thursday, Sept. 17, as the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a convergence of winds, affects these areas, the state weather bureau said. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its weather advisory that the ITCZ will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to these areas. Pagasa also noted the possibility of a tropical depression forming within the ITCZ, urging vigilance. ITCZ is a band of low pressure where winds from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres converge, often leading to cloud formation and precipitation in tropical regions like the Philippines. This weather development comes as the Philippines, an archipelago nation, is frequently affected by weather disturbances, including typhoons and monsoon rains, which can cause widespread flooding and landslides, impacting its economy and the daily lives of its citizens.