PAGASA: Rains expected in Luzon, Western Visayas

Rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected to prevail over a large portion of Luzon and Western Visayas due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ and trough of tropical cyclone “Florita” (international name: Prapiroon).

According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Meno Mendoza, ‘Florita ‘is expected to move outside the country’s area of responsibility by Monday afternoon.

Before Sunday noon, Florita was at 695 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, and has intensified into a severe tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 90 kilometes per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

It is forecast to move northnorthwest at 17 kph.

However, the trough or extension of Florita combined with the cyclone-enhanced ‘habagat’ will bring scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, and Western Visayas, Mendoza said.

Residents in these areas, especially those living in low-lying and mountainous areas, are warned against possible flooding and landslides resulting from heavy rains.

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

Likewise, PAGASA advised the public to remain on alert for possible flash floods or landslides due to heavy rains from thunderstorms.

Due to 'Florita’, a gale warning remains in effect as rough to very rough seas are expected over Batanes.

PAGASA advised crewmen and operators of fishing boats and other small vessels not to set sail , while larger sea vessels were advised to watch out for big waves.