Tropical Depression Luis Intensifies East of Philippines, Heavy Rains and Landslides Feared

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Luis slightly intensified while slowing down offshore in the early hours of Sunday, August 2. Luis’ maximum sustained winds increased from 45 kilometers per hour to 55 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in its 5 am bulletin on Sunday. The tropical depression’s gustiness also increased from 55 km/h to 70 km/h. It was last spotted 295 kilometers east of Daet, Camarines Norte, slowly moving west southwest — or with a speed of less than 10 km/h — as of 4 am. Luis is still likely to remain over the Philippine Sea, but if its forecast track shifts westward, it could make landfall in Northern Luzon or Central Luzon, or go near these areas. Luis is also seen to intensify into a tropical storm within 24 hours while moving off Bicol, but this could be short-lived as it may weaken back into a tropical depression by Tuesday, August 4, and into a remnant low by Wednesday, August 5. PAGASA’s latest rainfall advisory issued at 5 am on Sunday shows at least eight provinces on the eastern side of Luzon could be most affected by significant rainfall from Luis in the next 48 hours. Floods and landslides are possible. Sunday, August 2 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes Monday, August 3 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Cagayan, Isabela On Sunday specifically, aside from the provinces mentioned above, the rest of Cagayan Valley, the rest of Calabarzon, the rest of Bicol, Metro Manila, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Aklan, and Antique could also have scattered rain and thunderstorms due to Luis. The rest of the country, not affected by the tropical depression, will have generally fair weather. The weather bureau also warned the public that the southwest monsoon or habagat may start causing considerable rain on Monday, August 3, with the following provinces on the western side of Luzon set to be affected: Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan Tuesday, August 4 Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro Meanwhile, more areas were placed under Signal No. 1 due to Luis at 5 am on Sunday, as the tropical depression is bringing strong winds: Polillo Islands Camarines Norte northern part of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Tigaon, Calabanga) Catanduanes PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility of raising Signal No. 2 if Luis becomes a tropical storm. The southwest monsoon and Luis’ periphery or outer bands are also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas: Marinduque, southern part of Mindoro provinces, Romblon, mainland Masbate, Caluya Islands, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands Monday, August 3, and Tuesday, August 4 most of Luzon, most of Visayas, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental After weakening into a remnant low by Wednesday, Luis could become “fully assimilated” or absorbed into the circulation of the tropical cyclone with the international name Dolphin, which is currently a super typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Super Typhoon Dolphin was located 3,410 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 am on Sunday, moving west northwest at 25 km/h. It has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gustiness of up to 230 km/h. PAGASA Weather Specialist Obet Badrina said Dolphin might cross the northeastern boundary of PAR. If it enters PAR, it would be given the local name Maymay. Forecasts, however, are still highly uncertain as the super typhoon remains far from the country. Luis is the Philippines’ 12th tropical cyclone for 2026, and the first for August. PAGASA earlier said two to four tropical cyclones could develop within or enter PAR during the month. – Rappler.com