Typhoon Dolphin Enhances Southwest Monsoon, Bringing Heavy Rains to Wide Areas of Philippines

Metro Manila and 23 provinces are experiencing significant rainfall from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, which is being enhanced by Typhoon Dolphin, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The typhoon remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is unlikely to enter it. As of 3 a.m. on Saturday, Dolphin was located 810 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, moving southwest at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h). It has maximum sustained winds of 155 km/h and gustiness of up to 190 km/h. Despite staying outside PAR, Dolphin's enhancement of the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rains. PAGASA's three-day rainfall outlook issued on Saturday morning forecasts heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters) for Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro on Saturday, August 8. Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm) is expected in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique. Similar rainfall patterns are forecast for Sunday, August 9, with heavy to intense rain expected in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro. Moderate to heavy rain will continue in other affected areas. On Monday, August 10, La Union, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan are predicted to receive heavy to intense rain, with moderate to heavy rain in other provinces. PAGASA is urging residents in affected areas to remain vigilant against floods and landslides. In addition to Typhoon Dolphin, PAGASA is monitoring a new low-pressure area (LPA) located 2,610 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. This LPA has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours. While it also appears unlikely to enter PAR, the public is advised to monitor updates. PAGASA had previously predicted that two to four tropical cyclones would develop within or enter PAR in August. So far, two have been recorded: Tropical Depression Luis and Tropical Storm Maymay (Kujira). Source: Rappler Philippines