PAGASA sees wet weekend due to ‘Domeng’

The tropical depression-enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” is expected to trigger rains over the weekend, with possible flooding or landslides in some parts of Luzon and Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said tropical depression “Domeng” has no direct effect over the country but will induce light to moderate to at times heavy monsoon rains in Luzon and the Visayas this weekend.

At mid-day yesterday, “Domeng” was spotted 835 kilometers (km) east of Casiguran, Aurora, and is forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph.

It had a slightly stronger maximum sustained wind speed of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

It is still unlikely to make landfall, but as it moves further northward, Badrina said “Domeng” could further enhance the southwest monsoon that will trigger moderate to heavy monsoon rains over Aklan, Antique, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan by today.

Flashfloods or landslides could occur in these areas due to continuous monsoon rains, PAGASA warned.

It also advised fishermen and operators of small vessels not to set sail in the eastern and western seaboards of Luzon due to big waves generated by the combined effects of the cyclone and “habagat.’’

By today, “Domeng” is expected at 700 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and 715 km east of Basco, Batanes by tomorrow.