‘Habagat’ to continue dumping rain; 2 LPAs likely to intensify into cyclones —Pagasa

July 22 ------ THE enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) will continue dumping rain over several areas in Luzon including Metro Manila, while the two low-pressure areas inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) threaten to turn into tropical depressions. One of the two LPAs has the possibility of intensifying into a tropical depression, most likely by Wednesday, according to state-run weather agency Pagasa.

In the meantime, these two LPAs—one spotted at 1,140 kilometers (kms) east of Central Luzon while the other was estimated some 370 kms east of Calayan, Cagayan—have no direct effect yet to the country, weather specialist Robert Badrina said. But the trough or extension of LPA is already bringing scattered rains and thunderstorms over Cagayan Valley, Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. advisory.

Badrina reiterated that any of the two weather disturbances has the chance of intensifying into a tropical depression, which will have its domestic name ‘Dante,’ the fourth cyclone in the archipelago this year. Citing data and analysis, Badrina said that even if the LPA off Cagayan would develop into a tropical depression, it would not directly affect the country as a landfall scenario was unlikely. He said the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) will continue to dump moderate to heavy and sometimes intense rain in many areas including Metro Manila and its adjoining provinces.

In fact, a red rainfall warning has been raised over these areas, which means that ‘flooding is expected’ after more than three hours of non-stop rain, the Pagasa forecaster said.

Source: manilatimes.net