Landslide, flood warnings raised

THE WEATHER bureau on Thursday warned Metro Manila and several provinces of possible flash floods and landslides as the southwest monsoon (habagat) affecting the western section of Luzon is expected to bring light to moderate rains.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is also monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) 710 kilometers west of Baguio City.

As of 11 a.m. Thursday, the LPA is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility and has no direct effect to the country.

Rains brought by habagat are expected over the regions of Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula, and the provinces of Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite and Batangas.

Pagasa on Tuesday declared the onset of the rainy season due to consecutive days of rainfall as the wind system affecting the country shifted from the easterlies to the southwest monsoon.