Weather: Floods, landslides threaten west Luzon, Visayas

Rains from a southwest monsoon may threaten the western parts of Luzon and the Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Monday. PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said Metro Manila can expect improvements in the weather, although the southwest monsoon continues to affect Luzon and the Visayas. "Ang Luzon, kasama ang Metro Manila at Kabisayaan ay makakaranas ng maulap na na kalangitan na may malawakang pagulan sa kanlurang bahagi na maaring magdulot ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa (Luzon including Metro Manila and the Visayas may have cloudy skies with widespread rains over the western section. This may trigger flash floods and landslides)," Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said Mindanao can expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Mendoza said there will be "gradual improvement" of weather conditions in Metro Manila, following days of rains. But he said there will still be likely rains in the afternoon and evening. "May gradual improvement ang weather sa araw na ito pero may posibildad ng pag-ulan (We can expect improvements in the weather today but there is always the chance of rain)," he said. PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough. In other areas, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southeast to southwest with slight to moderate seas, PAGASA added. Meanwhile, PAGASA said strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of southwest monsoon may affect the western seaboard of Luzon. However, it cautioned fishermen and small seacraft to remain cautious even if the surge of southwesterly windflow has weakened. — RSJ, GMA News