BY ELLALYN V. RUIZ
Tropical storm “Leon” (international name “Noul”) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday but continues to slightly enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of Leon at 360 kilometers north of Kalayaan Islands in Palawan, maintaining its strength of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
PAGASA said Leon will continue to move west-northwest until Thursday afternoon then turn west Thursday night or Friday morning before its landfall over northern or central Vietnam Friday afternoon or evening.
While it no longer has direct effect over the Philippines, Leon continues to enhance the habagat, bringing occasional strong winds and light to at times heavy rains over the western section of the country.
Gusty winds will prevail in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan.
Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains may affect Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Aurora, Quezon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Visayas.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have improved weather but chances of isolated rain showers and localized thunderstorms are still highly likely in the afternoon or evening.
PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant against possible flooding and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.
