Southwest Monsoon Brings Continued Heavy Rainfall Across Metro Manila and Surrounding Regions

MANILA – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced that the southwest monsoon, locally known as "habagat," will continue to cause widespread rainfall across much of the country. In its latest 24-hour forecast released at 4 a.m. on Sunday, PAGASA reported ongoing wet conditions particularly affecting Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, where occasional showers are expected.

Metro Manila, along with the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos Region, and Mimaropa, will experience cloudy skies accompanied by scattered rain showers and thunderstorms. Other areas of the Philippines are likely to see partly cloudy to cloudy conditions, with isolated rain or thunderstorms attributable to the monsoon system.

Authorities have issued warnings regarding the potential for flash floods and landslides due to the heavy rainfall. PAGASA also reported monitoring two tropical cyclones outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR): Tropical Depression Co-may, positioned approximately 875 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, and Typhoon Krosa, about 2,480 kilometers east of the same area. Neither storm is expected to impact the country directly.

Additionally, strong southwest winds are forecast over the northernmost parts of Luzon, resulting in rough coastal waters with waves reaching up to 3.4 meters. Moderate to rough sea conditions are also anticipated along the western coast of Luzon, prompting advisories for fishermen and operators of small vessels to exercise caution and take necessary safety measures.