By Erika Mae P. Sinaking, Reporter
HEAVY RAIN would continue across western Luzon and parts of the Visayas through Tuesday as the southwest monsoon persists, with some areas at risk of flash floods and landslides, the state weather bureau said.
“In our latest satellite images, we can see the continuous effect of the southwest monsoon, which will continue to bring rainy weather, especially to the western section of Luzon and even in the Visayas,” Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather forecaster Robert “Obet” Badrina said at a briefing on Sunday.
Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro could receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain, PAGASA said. The rainfall could trigger flash floods and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa were expected to have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain, with occasional heavy showers.
PAGASA issued a yellow heavy rainfall warning for Zambales and Bataan on Sunday, indicating that heavy rain could continue intermittently.
Tropical Storm Pilandok, internationally named Krovanh, was 985 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of Sunday. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.
The storm was moving east-northeast at 15 kph over waters south of Japan. Although outside the Philippine area of responsibility, it could briefly re-enter the boundary within the day, Mr. Badrina said.
Pilandok was expected to weaken into a tropical depression by Monday but could continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, he said.
Rough seas are expected around Batanes and the Babuyan Islands, while moderate seas are forecast along Luzon’s eastern and western seaboards. Small-craft operators were advised to exercise caution because thunderstorms could produce stronger waves.
The southwest monsoon season usually ends in the first half of October, followed by a transition period before the northeast monsoon begins around November, Mr. Badrina said.
Meanwhile, the death toll from previous typhoons and the southwest monsoon rose to 43, the Office of Civil Defense said.
Benguet recorded the most deaths at 15, followed by Rizal with six and Batangas with four. Landslides and drowning accounted for many of the fatalities.
The weather disturbances affected about 10.2 million people from 2.9 million families across eight regions, including the National Capital Region. About 62,300 people were staying in 807 evacuation centers, while 6,900 villages were affected.
Infrastructure damage was estimated at P7.79 billion and agricultural losses at P4.13 billion. About 4,500 houses were damaged, including 585 that were totally destroyed.
The government had provided about P2.59 billion in assistance, while 180 local government units remained under a state of calamity. Five people were missing and 20 were injured.