Rainy weather to persist in Metro Manila, parts of Luzon due to monsoon

MANILA, Philippines — Rainy weather is expected to persist in Metro Manila and several areas in Luzon on Monday due to the southwest monsoon, which is being enhanced by Typhoon “Kiko” (international name: Chanthu), the weather service said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) lifted all tropical cyclone wind signals across the country on Sunday afternoon, as the typhoon left the Philippine territory at 1:10 p.m.

Kiko has slightly lost strength and is forecast to move generally northward over the East China Sea and head toward eastern China. As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, the center of its eye was located 525 kilometers north of Itbayat, Batanes province.

Despite exiting the country’s area of responsibility, Kiko is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will dump rains in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, and the western section of Central Luzon at the start of this week.

Pagasa cautioned the public to be vigilant against widespread flooding, flash floods and landslides triggered by rain.

Cloudy skies bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila, the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan, and the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, also due to the southwest monsoon.

Last week, Severe Tropical Storm Jolina (international name: Conson) brought widespread rains across the country.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council placed on Sunday the death toll from Jolina at 17 and said that seven persons remained missing.

Of the 17 reported dead, only three have been confirmed.