Rain to persist; flooding, landslide likely in Metro Manila, nearby provinces – Pagasa

From Pagasa website

Rain will continue to pour over the National Capital Region (NCR) and several Luzon provinces due to a prevalent southwest monsoon, the state weather bureau said on Thursday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of possible landslides and flooding due to light to moderate and occasional heavy rain in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Bataan, Zambales, and provinces in the Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, and Babuyan Group of Islands.

As of 8 a.m., Pagasa raised an orange rainfall warning level over Zambales and Bataan, while a yellow rainfall warning was issued for Tarlac.

The bulletin also said that the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, and Rizal may also be affected by light to moderate with occasional heavy rains for the next three hours.

Pagasa added that light to moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms could likely persist in Region IV-B and the rest of Region IV-A, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon, placing low-lying areas at risk of flooding.

The rest of the country could possibly experience cloudy skies with isolated rain showers, Pagasa further said.

Meanwhile, Pagasa raised a gale warning, advising fishing boats and other small sea crafts not to sail into the northern, western, and eastern coasts of Northern Luzon as well as western seaboard of Central Luzon.

Pagasa said that waves as high as 2.8 to 4.5 meters could likely occur, as sea condition would range from rough to very rough.

According to Pagasa, the southwest monsoon enhanced by a shallow low pressure area (LPA) north of Luzon causes the rain, as it brings thick clouds on the western seas to all affected areas.             /kga