Habagat set to return: Heavy rains to pound western Luzon, Visayas again
By Manny Pacquiao
The brief respite from the rains may be over. The southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, is expected to strengthen again in the third week of August, bringing more heavy rainfall to western sections of Luzon and the Visayas.
In a briefing on Sunday afternoon, August 16, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the monsoon will continue to affect these regions in the coming days, with several provinces bracing for moderate to heavy rain.
Which provinces will be most affected by the monsoon?
PAGASA's latest rainfall outlook identifies the following provinces as likely to receive the heaviest rainfall over the next 72 hours:
- Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales
- Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Antique
- Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Antique
These areas can expect 50 to 100 millimeters of rain, a volume that significantly raises the risk of floods and landslides, especially in mountainous and low-lying communities.
Scattered rains expected in Metro Manila and other areas
For Sunday evening, scattered rain and thunderstorms are also expected in Metro Manila, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro. The rest of Luzon and the Visayas may experience only isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
In areas with significant rainfall, floods and landslides remain likely, and residents are advised to stay alert and follow local disaster preparedness measures.
Two low pressure areas being monitored outside PAR
PAGASA is also tracking two low pressure areas (LPAs) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The first LPA, which formed last Thursday, August 13, was located 2,395 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 pm on Sunday. Its chance of developing into a tropical depression has gradually decreased, and it is currently unlikely to intensify within the next 24 hours. According to PAGASA Weather Specialist Grace Castañeda-Carpio, this LPA is moving away from PAR.
The second LPA formed just on Sunday. It was last spotted 1,385 kilometers east of Central Luzon at 3 pm and could enter PAR in the evening. It currently has a low chance of becoming a tropical depression within 24 hours, but the likelihood of development may increase beyond that period.
Carpio also noted that another LPA or potential tropical cyclone may form west of Northern Luzon in the coming days. These weather disturbances could pull or enhance the southwest monsoon, prolonging the wet spell.
How many tropical cyclones are expected in August?
PAGASA expects up to four tropical cyclones to develop within or enter PAR in August. Two have already occurred this month: Tropical Depression Luis and Tropical Storm Maymay (Kujira).
Death toll and damage from recent weather events
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday morning that the combined death toll from the southwest monsoon, Luis, and Maymay stands at 23. Seventeen others were injured, and one person remains missing.
The bad weather has affected at least 4.87 million people, or 1.4 million families, across 10 regions, based on NDRRMC data. Estimated damage to infrastructure has already reached P3.4 billion, while agricultural damage has risen to over P689 million.
What should residents in affected areas do?
Local government units and disaster response teams are urged to remain on alert. Residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone areas should monitor advisories from PAGASA and their local authorities, prepare emergency kits, and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
As the habagat strengthens once more, the coming week will test the resilience of communities across western Luzon and the Visayas. Let us look out for one another, especially the most vulnerable among us.
With reports from Rappler