2 cyclones to boost monsoon strength, says Pagasa

Graphics by Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Two tropical cyclones developed in and near the Philippines at the start of the weekend and are expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally called “habagat,” across the country.

While Tropical Depression (TD) “Butchoy” (international name: 04W) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) around 8 a.m. Saturday, it is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm in the South China Sea on its way to China.

At the same time, TD “Carina” (international name: Gaemi) was spotted 630 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, in the Philippine Sea at 5 p.m. Saturday and was moving in a west northwest direction.

READ: Pagasa: Butchoy and Carina boost southwest monsoon, rain likely

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Carina had already intensified into a tropical storm with winds at a maximum of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h), with gusts of up to 80 km/h.

Pagasa said Carina is expected to further gain strength and become a typhoon by Tuesday.

Pagasa has classified tropical cyclones into five levels of strength based on their wind speed, with tropical depression as having the weakest at up to 62 km/h, and supertyphoon as the strongest at up to 185 km/h.

“Rapid intensification is not ruled out because in a short period of time, Carina is expected to strengthen in a typhoon category,” weather specialist Ana Jorda said during a press briefing.

But she added that Carina will remain offshore in the next five days, away from the country’s land mass.

Pagasa advised that even though the two tropical cyclones would not directly dump heavy rains in the next three days, both Butchoy and Carina are enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains over the western portion of Luzon.

Most affected by heavy rainfall until Monday are Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Kalayaan Islands, as well as the provinces of Palawan, Zambales, Bataan, Batangas, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro.

Butchoy and Carina may also bring “gusty conditions” until Monday, Pagasa noted.