Storm Enteng exits PAR; ‘habagat’ rains to persist

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Enteng (international name: Yagi) is now outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and has slightly intensified, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday morning. 

In its 5:00 a.m. update, Pagasa said Enteng was spotted some 265 kilometers west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph while slowly moving west-northwest. 

“Outside the PAR region, Enteng will move generally westward until tomorrow (September 5), then turn west northwestward for the remainder of the forecast period,” said Pagasa. 

“It is forecast to make another landfall in the vicinity of southern mainland China during the weekend,” it added, detailing that the tropical cyclone may also reach its peak intensity by Friday (September 6) prior to making landfall in mainland China.

Rainfall and gale-force gusts alert

Despite exiting PAR, the state weather bureau warned that the southwest monsoon or “habagat”, which was enhanced by Enteng, will continue to trigger moderate to intense rainfall in some parts of Luzon, particularly its western portions, over the next three days. 

The “habagat” will likewise bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):

• September 4: Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Isabela Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island, and Northern Samar.

• September 5: Ilocos Region, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Negros Island, and Northern Samar.