TD ‘Marilyn’ to exit Sunday; expect rains over S. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao – PAGASA

Tropical depression “Marilyn” maintained its strength as it enhanced the southwest monsoon bringing light to moderate rains across the country, the Philippines Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

PAGASA weather specialist Lorie Dela Cruz said “Marilyn” will have no direct effect on the country’s landmass but will enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” that will affect most parts of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindano.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast track, “Marilyn” is expected to exit Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Sunday evening but may re-enter the

country on Wednesday (September 18).

PAGASA said Marilyn is still less likely to make landfall in any part of country throughout the forecast period but it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.

Frequent light to moderate with occasional heavy rains is expected over Palawan, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Bangsamoro on Saturday.

Occasional light to moderate rains with at times heavy rain showers during thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and the rest of Mimaropa and Visayas.

The state weather bureau also raised a gale warning over the central and eastern seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to potentially rough sea condition.

Strong to gale force winds are expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, southern coasts of Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan Del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Siargao, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental.

Coastal waters in these seaboards will be rough to very rough with a wave height of up to 4.5 meters.

Sea travel is risky and fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to sail while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

“Marilyn” is the 13th tropical cyclone that entered the country this year; the third for September.

(Laurenz Castillo/EPA-EFE) By ALEXANDRIA DENNISE SAN JUAN ZAMBOANGA FLOOD — A woman sits on an inflatable couch in the middle of a flooded street in Zamboanga City Friday. Monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Depression ‘Marilyn’ are forecast across the country and could bring floods.