Pagasa declares official start of rainy season

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau on Wednesday declared the official start of the rainy season in the country.

“The occurrence of scattered rain showers, frequent thunderstorms, the passage of Typhoon Aghon, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) over the past few days have brought significant rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas signifies the start of the rainy season in the country,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in a statement.

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“Moreover, the high chance of La Niña conditions to develop by the July-August-September period increases the likelihood of above-normal rainfall conditions in some areas of the country, especially towards the end of the year,” it added.

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However, Pagasa said there may be “breaks” in rainfall that may last for a few days or weeks, also known as monsoon breaks.

“Pagasa will continue to monitor the country’s weather and climate situation. The public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the adverse impacts of the rainy season, Habagat, and the impending La Niña, such as floods and rain-induced landslides,” it added.

Cloud clusters

Meanwhile, Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a 5 p.m. advisory that cloud clusters are being monitored between the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.

“Mayroon po tayong namo-monitor na cloud cluster o kumpol ng ulap dito po sa pagitan ng West Philippine Sea and South China Sea,” he said.

(We have a cloud cluster that we are monitoring here between the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.)

“Mino-monitor natin ito dahil posible itong maging low pressure area (LPA) sa mga susunod na araw,” he added.

(We are monitoring it because it could become a low pressure area in the next few days.)

Estareja said its projected movement is “upwards” once it becomes an LPA.