Typhoon Falcon-enhanced ‘habagat’ to trigger rains in parts of Luzon, Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun) continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat” triggering rains over Luzon and parts of the Visayas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa weather specialist Veronica Torres, in a Monday afternoon update, said Falcon was last spotted some 1,020 kilometers east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 205 kph.

“Wala pa rin itong direktang epekto sa kahit na anong bahagi ng ating bansa, pero pinalalakas nito ‘yung ating hanging habagat, kaya inaasahan pa rin natin na nakakaapekto ‘yung Luzon and also Visayas area,” said Torres.

(The typhoon does not have a direct impact on any part of our country, but it continues to strengthen the southwest monsoon, affecting Luzon and the Visayas.)

Hence, cloudy skies and monsoon rains are expected in Luzon, especially in the western parts, as well as Western Visayas, in the next three days.

Torres warned the public in these areas to watch out for possible floods and landslides.

 Falcon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday afternoon.

Apart from rain, gusty conditions should also be expected in Batanes and Babuyan Islands, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan central and southern portions of Aurora, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, most of Ilocos Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Miondoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan),  Bicol region and Western Visayas.

The rest of the Visayas and the entire Mindanao, on the other hand, will have relatively fairer weather with possible rain showers due to thunderstorms.

 gsg