‘Karding’ will enhance ‘habagat’

One of the two prevailing low pressure areas (LPA) in the country has developed into tropical depression “Karding.”

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Karding is unlikely to hit land but will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.

It was spotted at 1,220 kilometers east Calayan, Cagayan before Tuesday noon and has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

Meanwhile, a typhoon with international name “Shanshan,” which is outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) is also enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat.

PAGASA weather specialist Shelly Ignacio said Shanshan was at 2,545 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon around Tuesday morning.

Ignacio said Shanshan is not expected to enter the PAR but will heighten the impact of habagat.

Likewise, PAGASA is monitoring another LPA west of Luzon that may also develop into a tropical depression.

It was estimated at 420 kilometers west of Subic, Zambales on Tuesday and will be named “Luis” once it strengthens into a tropical cyclone within the next three to five days.

This Wednesday, the southwest monsoon will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental.

Metro Manila, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Masbate, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Romblon, Palawan, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, the entire Mindanao, and the rest of Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms due to habagat.

The rest of Luzon will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA advised the public to be on alert for possible flash floods or landslides throughout the country caused by moderate to occasional heavy rains.