Typhoon Dolphin Enhances Monsoon, Drenching Luzon with Heavy Rains

Tropical Cyclone Kujira, locally known as Maymay, has dissipated after being absorbed by Typhoon Dolphin (international name), which is enhancing the southwest monsoon and bringing heavy rains over Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday. “As of eight in the morning, the low pressure area in the Philippine Sea that we are monitoring, formerly known as Tropical Depression Maymay, has already dissipated,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Jay Estareja said during an 11:00 a.m. press briefing in mixed English and Filipino. “Its cloud clusters are no longer affecting any parts of the country, and it has become part of Typhoon Dolphin’s trough,” he added. Mr. Estareja also said the typhoon is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon over the next three days, bringing heavy rains across large parts of Luzon. In a separate 11:00 a.m. weather advisory, PAGASA issued heavy rainfall warnings for more than a dozen areas due to the expected heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon over the next 24 hours. Intense rains, or rainfall ranging from 100 to 200 millimeters (mm), are expected over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro. PAGASA warned that numerous flooding events are likely, especially in urban, low-lying, and near-river areas. Landslides are also likely in areas with moderate to high susceptibility. Heavy rains, or rainfall ranging from 50 to 100 mm, are expected over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Antique. Under this rainfall warning, localized flooding is possible in urban, low-lying, and near-river areas, while landslides are possible in areas with high susceptibility. PAGASA also issued separate heavy rainfall warnings for many of the same areas, with the advisories remaining effective from Friday until noon on Monday. — Edg Adrian A. Eva