Enhanced southwest monsoon to drench Luzon, Visayas until Wednesday

The enhanced southwest monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Luzon and Visayas until Wednesday, heightening the risk of flooding and landslides, especially in high-risk areas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday.

The southwest monsoon, being enhanced by tropical depression Krovanh, previously known as PIlandok, is likely to bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in Luzon and Visayas until Wednesday, posing a risk of flooding and landslides, according to the state weather bureau on Monday.

Krovanh was last located 1,195 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, packing 55 kilometers per hour (kph) of maximum sustained winds and 70 kph of gustiness, PAGASA said in its 10:00 a.m. storm outlook.

“This tropical depression is enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is affecting Luzon and Visayas, Aldczar D. Aurelio, weather specialist of PAGASA, said in a 5:00 a.m. press briefing in Filipino.

“Tomorrow until Wednesday, it is still expected to affect Luzon and Visayas, ” he added.

Krovanh has a low chance of entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Mr. Aurelio said.

In the next 24 hours, heavy downpours, or rainfall between 50 to 100 millimeters (mm), are expected in Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro, he also said.

More areas in Luzon are expected to experience similar rainfall intensity until Wednesday due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Mr. Aurelio warned that localized flooding is likely under this rainfall condition, especially in low-lying, near-river, and urbanized areas.

Other areas such as Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and the Visayas are expected to experience thunderstorms in the next 24 hours also due to the southwest monsoon, PAGASA said in a separate advisory.

PAGASA also warned of possible flooding and landslides in these areas. — Edg Adrian A. Eva