Tropical cyclone warnings in all areas have been lifted as severe tropical storm “Tisoy” (international name “Kammuri”) moved farther away from the country yesterday.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration weather specialist Chris Perez said Tisoy further weakened as it moved west-northwest over the West Philippine Sea.
It is expected to further weaken due to the surge of the northeast monsoon or “amihan” until it leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility last night or this morning.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Tisoy was 290 kilometers west-southwest of Subic, Zambales, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
While over the West Philippine Sea, Tisoy could still trigger moderate to rough seas over the western seaboard of Central Luzon and the southern coasts of Southern Luzon.
The amihan could also bring rough sea condition over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, eastern coastlines of Central Luzon, and the eastern and western coasts of Southern Luzon.
A gale warning remains in effect in these seaboards due to risky sea travel for small seacraft.
Perez said the amihan will be the prevailing weather system in the country that could bring moderate with occasional heavy rains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Apayao.
Those in low-lying and mountainous areas should remain alert for possible flash floods or landslides.
A strong rush of wind due to the amihan may also be felt in other areas of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, especially in the coastal and mountainous areas.
The rain-parched Angat Dam in Bulacan has benefitted from Tisoy’s rains when the weather disturbance passed over land, according to PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Caringal.
From 188.97 meters last Tuesday, Angat Dam’s water level significantly increased to 193.47 meters yesterday.
Runoff water from the mountains from Tisoy’s rains could still increase Angat Dam’s water level by two to four meters in the next few days, which could bring the level of Angat Dam to about 196-198 meters, Caringal pointed out.
However, the current level of Angat Dam remains below the normal high water level of 212 meters this time of the year.
PAGASA reiterated its appeal to the public to continue conserving water as the rains that Angat Dam may receive are still not enough to reach the dam’s desired level. (Ellalyn Ruiz)