Another intense rainfall episode similar to the deluge that dumped more than 200 mm. of rain over Quezon City earlier this week cannot be ruled out as weather systems continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” the weather bureau said Wednesday.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said the country remains in the habagat season, when enhanced monsoon conditions can occasionally produce large amounts of rain within a short period.
“Hindi po natin isinasantabi iyong posibilidad na iyon. Kasi hangga’t may enhancement ng habagat, hangga’t nasa habagat season po tayo, asahan po natin na may mga occasional na, may mga pagkakataon na makakaranas tayo ng talagang maraming ibabagsak na pag-ulan (We are not discounting that possibility. So long as the habagat is being enhanced and we remain in the habagat season, there will be occasions when we could experience very large amounts of rainfall),” Perez said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program.
The warning comes after Quezon City recorded 219 mm. of rain on Monday, an amount equivalent to nearly half of the city’s normal rainfall for the entire month of August.
Perez said climatological data covering 30 years shows that Quezon City normally receives about 508 mm. of rainfall for the whole of August.
“Pero ito nga, iyong nangyaring pag-ulan noong Lunes ay umabot po ng 219 millimeters, so that is almost half noong monthly average for the month of August alone (But the rainfall we experienced on Monday reached 219 mm., so that is almost half of the monthly average for August alone),” he said.
He said Tropical Depression Neneng, although not expected to make landfall, continues to enhance the habagat and bring rains over Metro Manila and the western sections of Luzon. Another tropical depression being monitored over the West Philippine Sea is also helping strengthen the southwest monsoon.
PAGASA expects 100 mm. to 200 mm. of rainfall over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro within the next 24 hours, while Metro Manila and other parts of northern and central Luzon may receive 50 mm. to 100 mm.
Perez said rains could persist over western Luzon during the next 24 to 48 hours, advising residents to closely monitor PAGASA forecasts, weather advisories, and rainfall warnings, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.
Neneng was located 530 km. east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of the interview, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It was moving northwest at 30 kph and was forecast to leave the northern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility without making landfall. (PNA)
