TD Haishen approaches PAR; Habagat remains main rain threat

MANILA, Philippines — A tropical depression is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) within the next 24 hours, but the southwest monsoon, or habagat, will remain the main rain-bearing weather system over parts of Luzon, the state weather bureau said Monday. In its latest public weather forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the tropical depression, internationally named Haishen, was located 1,205 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas as of 3 p.m., with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph as it moved northwestward at 10 kph. READ: Tropical depression forms outside PAR – Pagasa Weather specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio said while the tropical depression could enter PAR within the next 24 hours, it is not expected to directly affect any part of the country. Pagasa said the tropical depression is forecast to move generally westward and northward over the next 12 hours and may briefly intensify into a tropical storm. It could enter PAR as early as Monday night or Tuesday morning, when it would be assigned the local name Jossie. After entering PAR, Pagasa expects the system to weaken back into a tropical depression as it moves quickly across the eastern portion of the country’s area of responsibility before exiting by Wednesday as a low-pressure area. Habagat continues to affect Luzon Despite the approaching tropical depression, Pagasa said the southwest monsoon continues to affect Luzon. Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected over the Ilocos Region, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Tarlac due to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA warned that moderate to heavy rains, at times, could trigger flash floods or landslides in these areas. READ: Death toll from heavy rains in Mindanao, Visayas now at 20 Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, also due to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA said severe thunderstorms may still bring short periods of heavy rain that could cause flash floods or landslides. “We are not expecting continuous heavy rainfall, but brief periods of heavy rain are still possible. Again, we advise the public to remain cautious,” Castañeda-Carpio said. Meanwhile, the rest of the country will experience partly to mostly cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. PAGASA said severe thunderstorms may also bring brief but intense downpours that could trigger flash floods or landslides. READ: 35 tourists stranded in Batanes as Inday exits PH Moderate to rough seas over Luzon PAGASA also forecast moderate to strong southwest to south winds over Luzon, where coastal waters will be moderate to rough, with wave heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.1 meters. Visayas and Mindanao will have light to moderate southeast to south winds and slight to moderate coastal waters, with waves ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters. While no gale warning has been raised, Castañeda-Carpio advised those planning to travel by sea, particularly along the western seaboard of Luzon, to remain cautious due to moderate to rough sea conditions. Pagasa urged the public to continue monitoring its official weather advisories as the southwest monsoon remains the country’s dominant weather system even as the tropical depression approaches PAR./dp