By Alexandria Dennise San Juan
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration officially declared the start of the rainy season in the country yesterday.
The State weather bureau in a statement confirmed the onset of the rainy season in the western part of the country, including Metro Manila, following widespread rainfall recorded in most of its weather stations in the past few days due to the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
These areas, PAGASA said, will experience scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms in the coming days.
However, such rain events might be followed by dry periods or “monsoon break” that could last for several days to two weeks.
“PAGASA will continue to closely monitor the situation and updates or advisories shall be issued as appropriate. The public and all concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures against the impacts of the rainy season,” it stated.
Meanwhile, tropical depression “Domeng” (international name “Maliksi”) intensified into a tropical storm as it moves away from the country.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Domeng was estimated based on all available data at 655 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, moving north-northeast at 17 kph.
This morning, Domeng will be 770 kms east of Basco, Batanes and 1,225 kms east-northeast of Basco tomorrow morning.
Domeng is forecast to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday or at 2,030 kms east-northeast of Basco.
Domeng and the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over Aurora, Bataan, Bicol, Regions 4-A and 4-B, and Western Visayas. Scattered rainshowers will prevail over the rest of Luzon and of Visayas.
Residents of these areas were advised to take appropriate actions against possible flash floods and landslides.
