‘Butchoy’ enhances monsoon rains

Typhoon “Butchoy” (international name “Nepartak”) picked up strength a day after entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility, prompting the weather bureau to warn the public to prepare for enhanced monsoon rains in the coming days.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Wednesday said Butchoy—located at 615 km east of Basco, Batanes as of press time—was already packing maximum sustained winds of 210 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 245 kph.

The weather bureau forecast light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Visayas, Mindanao, Calabarzon, Bicol, Mimaropa and the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela and isolated rain showers or thunderstorms  over Metro Manila and the rest of the country.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Visayas, Mindanao and the rest of Luzon, Pagasa said. Coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Pagasa said the estimated rainfall was already moderate to heavy within the 550-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

In a press briefing on Wednesday morning, the weather bureau said it was actually the “habagat” (southwest monsoon) that will cause light to moderate rains over the western side of southern Luzon and western Visayas today until Friday; and moderate to heavy rain during the weekend over the western side of Luzon.

“Though we know Butchoy will not make landfall… what is important is to monitor the rainfall. What we’re watching out for now is the ‘habagat’ enhanced by Typhoon Butchoy,” said Pagasa Weather Division Chief Esperanza Cayanan.

A gale warning has also been raised over the northern and eastern seaboard. Fishing boats and other small sea vessels are warned not to venture out to sea due to big waves.

“Butchoy” is forecast to continue moving northwest at 30 kph, and is expected to be 305 kilometers east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes by today (Thursday).

“Butchoy” is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday and move toward Taiwan.