Stormy September looms with up to 4 cyclones, says Pagasa

National

THE country could be in for a wet and windy September, with weather authorities forecasting the arrival or formation of two to four tropical cyclones within Philippine territory.

In its monthly outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the systems may either pass through northern or southern Luzon or veer northward toward Taiwan or southern Japan.

The advisory follows a busier-than-expected August, when five tropical cyclones — Fabian, Gorio (Podul), Huaning, Isang (which later strengthened into Typhoon Kajiki), and Jacinto — formed or entered the Philippine area of responsibility. Pagasa had earlier estimated up to four for the month.

For the immediate forecast, Pagasa reported yesterday that several regions would see rainy weather due to a low-pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon.

The LPA, located 865 kilometers east of northern Luzon at 3 p.m. yesterday, will bring “cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms” to Aurora, Quezon, and the Camarines provinces.

Pagasa said the system has a “low” chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours.

Monsoon rains will persist over Metro Manila, MIMAROPA, the Visayas, and the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, and Masbate. Other regions may expect generally fair weather with isolated thunderstorms.

As a precaution, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has mobilized 42 disaster response teams in the Davao Region.

In a Facebook advisory, the PCG said its District Southeastern Mindanao activated 42 Disaster Response Group (DRG) teams composed of 355 personnel. On standby are 10 land vehicles, 16 motorcycles, a fast patrol boat, three high-speed response boats, five aluminum boats, two rubber boats, and one jetski.

The Coast Guard said all its stations have been instructed to coordinate with local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to ensure “synchronized and comprehensive deployment of DRG Teams and equipment” should emergencies arise.(MyTVCebu)