PAGASA Warns of More Monsoon Rains in Western Philippines

THE southwest monsoon was expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of western Philippines over the next four days, although the overall risk of significant disruptions remained low, the state weather bureau said on Monday. In a forecast issued at 3 p.m. on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Occidental Mindoro, Palawan and Antique faced a minimal likelihood of rain-related impacts from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. The weather bureau expects the risk level to increase slightly on Sept. 3, when Occidental Mindoro may experience minor impacts from prolonged rainfall. PAGASA also identified Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental as areas that might experience minimal impacts on Sept. 3. The forecast showed a low likelihood of significant weather-related disruptions from Monday through Wednesday. By Thursday, the likelihood rises to a medium level in some affected areas, although the highest projected impact remained in the “minor” category. PAGASA said short-term disruptions to classes, work and business activities could occur in affected areas. Travelers may also experience delays as road and rail transport services face possible interruptions. The weather bureau warned that a number of houses and buildings in low-lying and flood-prone areas could experience slight to moderate flooding, with floodwaters potentially entering some structures. Agriculture may also be affected, particularly crops in critical growth stages. PAGASA said some aquaculture facilities and agricultural equipment could sustain damage from heavy rains. In the health and safety sector, the agency said a limited number of health facilities might be affected, while minor injuries and threats to life remain possible in vulnerable areas. Power and telecommunication services could also experience interruptions, with PAGASA warning of potential disruptions to consumer electricity connections and communication networks. The weather bureau advised local government units and residents in affected provinces to monitor advisories and take precautionary measures against flooding and other rain-induced hazards. Meanwhile, the death toll from the enhanced southwest monsoon and Tropical Cyclones Luis, Kujira and Gaenari rose to 33, while the number of affected people climbed to 8.8 million nationwide, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said. The latest fatality was recorded in Caloocan City due to drowning, OCD Disaster Preparedness Service Director Vicente Gregorio B. Tomas told a press briefing. The affected population reached 8.8 million people from 2.5 million families across the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Calabarzon, the National Capital Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region and Mimaropa. More than 165,000 people were staying in 1,365 evacuation centers. OCD Assistant Secretary Leo L. Quintilla said the Department of Social Welfare and Development had distributed at least 2.3 million family food boxes to local government units in affected areas and still had 3.5 million boxes available for replenishment and augmentation. Humanitarian assistance provided to affected communities has reached P1.77 billion, according to the OCD. The agency said 117 areas remained under a state of calamity. Infrastructure damage was estimated at P6.12 billion, while agricultural losses reached P2.32 billion. More than 3,300 houses were damaged, including 405 that were destroyed and nearly 3,000 that sustained partial damage. Government agencies have continued clearing operations, while search-and-rescue teams remained deployed or on standby. In Metro Manila, all 73 pumping stations remained operational as authorities cleared waterways clogged by debris and silt left by recent flooding. — Norman P. Aquino and Edg Adrian A. Eva