Typhoon Dolphin Enhances Monsoon, Bringing Heavy Rains to Several Philippine Areas

Typhoon Dolphin is set to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing more rains to various parts of the Philippines in the coming days, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Dolphin was located 915 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour and gusts of 190 kph, moving west-southwest at 15 kph. PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo noted that the rainy weather might persist until next week, with a gradual decrease in occurrence. From August 6 to 7, five areas recorded over 100 millimeters of rain, with Iba, Zambales logging the highest at 158.6 mm. Baguio City followed with 158 mm, La Trinidad, Benguet with 154.4 mm, Olongapo City with 112.4 mm, and Dagupan City, Pangasinan with 111.4 mm. Orange heavy rainfall warnings, indicating 100 to 200 mm of rain, are in effect for Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro until this afternoon. Yellow heavy rainfall warnings, for 50 to 100 mm of rain, are issued for several other provinces, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Antique until this afternoon. From today until tomorrow afternoon, an orange heavy rainfall warning is in effect in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, and Zambales, while a yellow heavy rainfall warning is in effect in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, and Occidental Mindoro. The ongoing rains, exacerbated by Tropical Depression Luis and Tropical Storm Maymay, have affected thousands of families across Luzon. Central Luzon alone reported at least 27,728 individuals impacted, with Nueva Ecija recording the highest number of affected individuals at 24,162, followed by Aurora with 3,560 and Zambales with six. A total of 2,815 people were forced to evacuate to government centers or to their relatives due to flooding. In La Union, agricultural crops worth approximately P11.1 million were destroyed by Luis and Maymay, according to the provincial information office. Initial damage included P947,846 in rice, P2.03 million in fruits, P7.55 million in vegetables, P2,600 in root crops, P295,110 in fisheries, and P300,000 in irrigation facilities. A total of 411 farmers covering 472.37 hectares were affected, while 15 houses were destroyed and 13 were partially damaged. Baguio City recorded at least 35 storm-related incidents, including 19 fallen or leaning trees, eight incidents involving landslides, soil erosion and rockfalls, two flooding incidents, and six cases of damaged power, water, and telecommunications lines. Seven families or 45 people in Barangay San Luis were displaced. Upstream river swellings in four dams managed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the Bulacan-Pampanga area have prompted water releases into downstream river systems. The affected facilities were the Angat Dam Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam), Upper Maasim Dam, Lower Maasim Dam 1, and Lower Maasim Dam 2. NIA Bulacan irrigation management office manager Enrique Carlos stated that water releases are made only when there is a large amount of incoming water. The water level of Angat Dam stood at 158.34 meters as of 2 p.m. yesterday, up from 157.58 meters on Thursday. It remained 1.66 meters below its critical level of 160 meters. Air travel was also disrupted, with Cebu Pacific canceling flights 5J 5054 and 5J 5055 between Manila and Narita on Friday due to unfavorable weather at the destination, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police commanders to intensify patrols and assist local government units in disaster response operations. This directive follows the deaths of two people and injuries to another when a landslide buried the kitchen of a restaurant in Barangay Shilan in La Trinidad, Benguet on Thursday. “Our personnel will remain on the ground to help protect lives, secure affected areas and support search, rescue and relief operations,” said Nartatez. Police officers vowed to continue assisting in evacuations, maintaining order, and delivering humanitarian assistance until conditions in affected communities improve. Source: Philstar Nation