‘Habagat’ continues to drench most of PH

MANILA – The southwest monsoon or “habagat” affecting Luzon and the Visayas will continue to bring rains over a large part of the country, the weather bureau said Friday.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said monsoon rains are expected over Zambales and Bataan provinces, while occasional rains are expected over the Ilocos Region.

Metro Manila, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and the rest of Luzon will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers or thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon.

Flash floods or landslides may occur in these areas during moderate to heavy rains, PAGASA warned.

The habagat will likewise bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms over the rest of the Visayas.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are also expected over the Mindanao due to localized thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said a low pressure area (LPA) has formed over extreme northern Luzon and was estimated, based on all available data, at 745 kilometers east southeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 3 a.m.

Moderate to strong winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over the western section of Luzon, while the rest of the archipelago will experience light to moderate winds and light to moderate coastal waters.

Deaths from bad weather now 24

The reported death toll from the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Ferdie, Gener and Helen rose to 24.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in an update Friday, said these include nine in Mimaropa, five in Western Visayas, four each in Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and two in Central Visayas.

Some 13 persons were also reported injured while 14 others are missing.

The casualty reports are undergoing validation.

The weather disturbance has also affected 356,578 families or 1,303,677 persons residing in 1,850 barangays in 13 regions.

Of this number, 10,310 families or 40,551 individuals are served inside 291 evacuation centers while another 12,258 families or 54,140 persons are helped outside.

Some 2,154 houses were also damaged in 11 regions. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)