By Juzel L. Danganan
MANILA, July 17 (PNA) — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday afternoon it is monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) which has formed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) due to the enhanced “hanging habagat” or southwest monsoon.
In a phone interview, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier said the LPA is estimated 905 kilometers east- northeast of Basco, Batanes (22.3°N, 130.5°E) and it would be known by Saturday whether it would develop into a tropical depression or dissipate.
He added that there are no other weather formations seen near the PAR.
Javier said the “habagat” will continue to be the dominant weather system in the country during the weekend, along with the LPA.
The weather bureau has also warned the public against “habagat’s” rains that might cause flash floods and landslides in some Luzon areas.
In its 5 p.m. Weather Bulletin on Friday, a 24-hour forecast, PAGASA said “monsoon rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced over the Ilocos Region, Benguet, Central Luzon and the islands of Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan.”
“Hanging habagat” or the southwest monsoon dumps rains to the country from April to October.
PAGASA further warned that occasional rains will occur in Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and the rest of the Cordilleras and the Cagayan Valley.
Other parts of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.
Luzon and the Visayas will also experience moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest, causing seas to be moderate to rough.
Other areas will also experience light to moderate winds, blowing from the southwest, affecting seas to be slight to moderate.
Meanwhile, PAGASA has issued a gale warning over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, saying strong to gale force winds are expected there from “hanging habagat.”
It advises fishing boats and other all seacrafts not to head out to sea, while also warning larger sea vessels against huge waves. (PNA)