Expect more rains; new LPA enters PAR

A new low-pressure area (LPA) east of the country will possibly develop into another cyclone within 24 to 48 hours and will be named “Karding.”

It will likely be the fifth cyclone this month. The other cyclones, namely: Gardo, Henry, Inday, and Josie have inundated parts of Luzon and Visayas in the past few weeks mainly due to the enhanced effects of the southwest

monsoon or habagat.

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio, Josie has left the country’s area of responsibility around 7 a.m. Monday but will continue to induce monsoon rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.

Josie was estimated at 585 kilometers (km) north-northeast of Basco, Batanes on Monday morning.

Aurelio said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring scattered to widespread monsoon rains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras and Iloilo.

Meanwhile, occasional monsoon rains will prevail over Metro Manila, and the rest of Luzon and Visayas.

Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

Aurelio reminded the public, especially those living near river channels, and in low-lying and mountainous areas to be on the alert for possible flash flood or landslide, as the soil is already saturated after several days of continuous rains.

Just as tropical depression “Josie” left the country’s area of responsibility on Monday morning, PAGASA is monitoring an LPA at 1,495 km east of Southern Luzon.

It is expected to enter the country’s area of responsibility on Monday or Tuesday (July 23 or 24), and will likely develop into a tropical depression within 24 to 48 hours, Aurelio said.

It will be named “Karding” once it becomes a cyclone inside PAR.

Aurelio said the weather disturbance is seen to move northward and may not hit land.

However, it will enhance the southwest monsoon that may bring rains over the western parts of Luzon and Visayas in the next few days.