Northern Philippines Braces for Rains as Southwest Monsoon Intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — The Southwest Monsoon, locally known as "habagat," is expected to bring rains to the northern parts of the Philippines on Sunday, July 19. In its weather forecast on Sunday, PAGASA said the habagat may affect Northern and Central Luzon. The Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon. PAGASA warned residents in these areas of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains. The Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, and the Babuyan Islands may also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to the habagat. Meanwhile, Metro Manila and other parts of the country may expect cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms. As of 8 a.m. on Sunday, the state weather bureau said it was not monitoring any low-pressure area within the Philippine Area of Responsibility.