More rain due to 'Goring' threaten parts of Luzon

Tropical depression “Goring" will enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring more rains to parts of Luzon, even as flash floods and landslides loom over Western Visayas and Eastern Mindanao, state weather forecasters said Sunday. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Gener Quitlong said Goring is expected to leave Philippine territory Sunday night or Monday morning. “Bagama’t si Goring ay malayo, napapalakas niya ang habagat, yan ang magdudulot ng ulan lalo sa Luzon. Makalalabas ito ng Philippine area of responsibility mamayang gabi o bukas ng umaga," Quitlong said in an interview on dzBB radio. Quitlong also said a low-pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao will also bring rains to the southern part of the country although it has little chance of becoming a cyclone. Should the new LPA become a cyclone while in Philippine territory, it will be codenamed “Hanna." PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin said 'Goring' was estimated at 400 km north-northeast of Basco, Batanes, with maximum winds of 55 kph near the center as of 2 a.m., and is forecast to move west at 7 kph. Meanwhile, the LPA off Mindanao was estimated at 210 km east-northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, it said. “Luzon will experience occasional rains becoming frequent over the western section while the rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Western Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said. By Monday evening Goring is expected to be 640 km northwest of Basco, Batanes or at 390 km west of Taipei, Taiwan. Moreover, PAGASA warned fishermen and small sea-crafts in the western section of Luzon not to venture out to sea due to gale-force winds. “Fishing boats and other small sea-crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. 14 to 15 more cyclones Quitlong said 14 to 15 more cyclones are expected this year after Goring exits Philippine territory. “Ang average, 20-21 bawa’t taon. Kung may La Niña mas madadagdagan. Ngayon, nakapito na tayo. So meron pang 14–15 bagyo na darating," he said. — LBG, GMA News