‘Luis’ expected to spawn rains in Northern Luzon

The low pressure area (LPA) west of Northern Luzon has developed into tropical depression “Luis,” as it entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Luis made landfall over Kaoshiung, Taiwan around 8 a.m. Thursday and will no longer directly affect the Philippines.

Before Thursday noon, PAGASA estimated the location of Luis at 290 kilometers (km) north-northwest of Basco, Batanes.

However, Luis may enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat that could bring scattered moderate to heavy rains in La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province starting Friday.

PAGASA advised residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, and in low-lying and mountainous areas, to take precaution against possible flooding and landslides.

It also asked the public to coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and to continue monitoring PAGASA updates.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA warned that sea travel remains risky in the northern and western coasts of Northern Luzon.

Luis will likely leave the country’s area of responsibility by Sunday.

Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring another LPA at 1,465 km east of extreme Northern Luzon, outside the PAR.

Typhoons Soulik and Cimaron, which were earlier being monitored by PAGASA, have moved farther away from the country and will no longer influence the monsoon circulation.