There is higher risk for flooding and rain-induced landslides in the western section of Luzon.
“Such risk is becoming higher,” said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Adel Duran.
She said increasing saturation of Luzon’s rain-affected western section is making this area more prone to flooding and landslides.
The prevailing enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” may bring moderate to at times heavy rainfall that can trigger flooding and landslides there, she noted.
Communities concerned must prepare for such possibilities, she added.
In its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Monday, PAGASA attributed the enhancement of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” at present to severe tropical storm Fabian (international name “In-Fa”) in extreme northern Luzon, and a tropical storm west-northwest of this area.
“Fabian” was 1,055 km east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon as of 10 a.m. Monday and will unlikely bring heavy rainfall over the country.
However, “habagat” rainfall is possible in the next 24 hours over Luzon’s west-lying Region I (Ilocos), Zambales and Bataan provinces of Region III (Central Luzon), as well as Occidental Mindoro and Palawan provinces of Region IV-B (Mimaropa), the weather bureau said.
Either flash floods or landslides may occur there from scattered to widespread moderate to at times heavy rainfall, PAGASA said in its daily weather forecast.
PAGASA noted “habagat” rainfall can raise water level in western Luzon’s major waterways and respective tributaries, and even cause water in these channels to overflow and flood surrounding areas.
Major Ilocos waterways that can be affected are La Union province’s Amburayan, Baroro, Lower Bauang and Aringay; Ilocos Norte province’s Bulu, Banban, Bacarra-Vintar, Laoag and Quiaoit; Pangasinan province’s Balincaguing and Alaminos and Ilocos Sur province’s Lower Abra, Silay-Sta. Maria and Buaya.
In Cordillera Administrative Region, the major waterways are Benguet province’s Upper Bauang and Abra province’s Upper Abra, Tineg and Ikmin.
Major Central Luzon waterways that can be affected are Bataan province’s Balanga and Morong as well as Zambales province’s Pamatawan, Sto. Tomas, Bucao, Bancal and Lawis, PAGASA said further.
The Mimaropa waterways are Palawan province’s Abongan, Lian, Barbakan, Rizal, Caramay, Langogan, Babuyan, Bacungan, Iwahig Penal, Inagauan, Aborlan, Malatgao, Apurauan, Baton-Baton, Aramaywan, Ihawig, Panitian, Pulot, Lamakan, Kinlugan, Eraan, Tiga Plan, Malabangan, Ilog, Bansang, Conduaga, Culasian, Iwahig (Brookes), Okayan, Canipaan and Busuanga, Coron; Occidental Mindoro province’s Abra de Ilog, Caguray, Labangan, Magbando, Lumintao, Anahawin, Monpong, Amnay, Pola, Pagbahan, Mamburao and Ibod; Oriental Mindoro province’s Malaylay-Baco, Pulang Tubig, Mag-asawang Tubig, Butas, Pula, Agsalin, Bansud, Sumagui, Bongabong, Baroc, Bulalacao and Balete as well as all rivers and tributaries in Romblon province.
PAGASA reported “Fabian” as moving northwestwards at 15 kph while packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.
“Fabian” may already be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday morning (July 21).
Even if “Fabian” crosses the PAR boundary, PAGASA expects this severe storm to continue enhancing “habagat” while moving away from the country.
Source: Philippines News Agency
