Habagat Brings Rains to Luzon, Visayas; Infrastructure, Security Concerns Rise

MANILA, Philippines — The southwest monsoon or “habagat” will continue to bring rains over parts of Luzon and Visayas on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with more areas being affected by the weather system in the next few days, according to the state weather bureau. In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), weather specialist Veronica Torres said that no tropical cyclone is being monitored inside and near the Philippine area of responsibility. However, she noted that the possibility of a low-pressure area formation is not being ruled out. “Asahan natin yung monsoon rains sa Zambales at Bataan. Kapag monsoon rains, ito yung halos tuloy-tuloy na moderate to heavy rains,” Torres said. (Expect monsoon rains over Zambales and Bataan. Monsoon rains are the continuous moderate to heavy rains.) Based on the 24-hour rainfall forecast, Zambales and Bataan will experience 100 to 200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall, where numerous flooding events are likely, especially in areas that are urbanized, low-lying, or near rivers. Landslides are also possible in highly susceptible areas. Occasional rains will prevail over Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro. They will experience 50 to 100 mm of rainfall on Tuesday. On the other hand, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will see cloudy skies and scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. “Sa susunod na araw, posibleng makaapekto yung habagat sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon. Malaking area yung uulanin, pero pagdating ng Sabado, posibleng mas kumonti yung areas affected by southwest monsoon na magpapaulan sa mga lugar na iyon,” Torres added. (In the next few days, habagat may possibly affect a huge portion of Luzon. A huge portion will experience rains but less areas may be affected by habagat on Saturday.) The weather specialist said that rains will continue to persist over Western Visayas while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will see slightly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of thunderstorms. No gale warning is raised in any seaboard of the country. Temperature forecast in the following areas: (/cb)