Rains due in Luzon, Panay as storm nears

Typhoon-enhanced monsoon rains will affect the Mimaropa region and Panay Island until Tuesday, as tropical cyclone “Maria” is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility today.

Before Sunday noon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of “Maria” at 1,820 kilometers east of Northern Luzon.

It has maintained its maximum wind speed of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 225 kph. “Maria” is moving northwest at 15 kph. With its current speed and track, the weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) this morning and will be given the local name “Gardo.” It is not likely to make landfall. It may, however, enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which could trigger rains in Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo until Tuesday.

Meanwhile, occasional monsoon rains are expected in Metro Manila, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA advised residents living in low-lying or mountainous areas to be on alert for possible flash floods or landslides triggered by light to moderate to at times heavy rains.