PAGASA: Southwest monsoon still threatens Luzon despite no cyclone within monitoring domain

The southwest monsoon is still expected to threaten Luzon despite no tropical cyclone currently being monitored within the monitoring domain of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the agency said on Wednesday.

“We are no longer monitoring any tropical cyclone or low-pressure area within PAGASA’s monitoring domain,” PAGASA weather specialist Chenel Dominguez said during the 5 a.m. press briefing in Filipino.

“However, we still expect the storm we previously monitored, Obet, which is now outside PAGASA’s monitoring domain, to continue enhancing the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains to a large part of Luzon,” she added.

PAGASA has hoisted a heavy rainfall warning over Zambales, where rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is expected within the next 24 hours.

Localized flooding and landslides are possible in high-risk areas, the agency warned.

The agency also warned of thunderstorms in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon due to the effects of the southwest monsoon.

More areas may be placed under heavy rainfall warnings due to the potential intensification of the southwest monsoon. — Edg Adrian A. Eva