Typhoon Maymay, monsoon to bring rains

Typhoon Maymay (international name Jebi) entered the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday and is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over Southern Luzon and the Visayas this week.

“(Maymay) will pull the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over Southern Luzon beginning Monday until Thursday,” said Aldczar Aurelio, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Aurelio said the typhoon has “no direct threat” on any part of the country but it is likely to reactivate the moistureladen southwest monsoon.

Maymay will only make a short visit to the Philippines before it heads to Japan, he added.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Maymay was located at 1,375 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes packing winds of 190 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 235 kph.

It was forecast to move northwest at 25 kph.

Maymay, the first tropical cyclone to enter the country this month, was expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility within 12 hours.

Aurelio said Metro Manila and the rest of the country would continue to experience fair weather apart from isolated rains due to thunderstorms.

However, the agency also warned of possible flooding and landslides during severe thunderstorms.

At least two tropical cyclones are predicted to enter the country this month.