By Catherine J. Teves
MANILA, July 9 (PNA) — Government warned against possible landslides and flash floods particularly along the western seaboard of Luzon and the Visayas, expecting such occurrences from downpour the enhanced southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ will likely bring there until this weekend.
“The southwest monsoon has been dumping rain for days, leaving soil generally saturated and already unable to further absorb water, so areas are increasingly prone to landslides and flash floods,” said forecaster Gener Quitlong from State weather agency PhilippineAtmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
He noted people in the western seaboard of Luzon and the Visayas must prepare accordingly as more rain can be expected there until this weekend compared to the country’s eastern seaboard.
The western seaboard is directly along the southwest monsoon’s path and risks bearing the brunt of rain from this weather system, he continued.
According to PAGASA, ‘habagat’ consists of warm moist winds from the southwest.
PAGASA said from May to September, ‘habagat’ causes rains over the country’s western portion.
Enhancing ‘habagat’ is typhoon ‘Falcon’ (international name ‘Chan-Hom’) which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this week.
In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin released Thursday (July 9), PAGASA said ‘Falcon’ will still enhance ‘habagat’ so moderate to occasionally heavy rain can be expected over Luzon and the Visayas especially in these areas’ western portion.
“The areas’ eastern seaboard will likely experience occasional rains only, however,” Quitlong noted.
PAGASA further said estimated rainfall within the 300-kilometer radius of ‘Falcon’ is heavy to at times intense.
‘Falcon’ isn’t directly over the Philippine landmass so downpour from this typhoon’s outer rainbands lands on Pacific waters, said PAGASA forecaster Robert Badrina.
“The enhanced southwest monsoon is mainly bringing rain to the country at present,” he said.
PAGASA located ‘Falcon’ at 795 kilometers east-northeast of Batanes province’s Itbayat municipality at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The agency said ‘Falcon’ then maintained maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
‘Falcon’ already commenced heading northwest and is forecast to continue moving in this direction at 22 kilometers per hour, PAGASA also said.
PAGASA expects ‘Falcon’ to be outside PAR by Friday morning (July 10) at 620 kilometers north-northeast of Itbayat. (PNA)