Intensified monsoon dumps rains in Metro Manila, other areas until Monday, says weather forecast

The southwest monsoon, intensified by a low pressure area 560 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, is expected to bring rain over Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon until Monday, the state weather bureau reported on Friday.

Forecaster Benison Estareja told Bilyonaryo News Channel a second low pressure area was formed 1,460 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

He said both low pressure areas could become tropical depressions. These will not make landfall, he added.

Based on the weather advisory, Metro Manila and other provinces including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Oriental Mindoro will experience from 50 to 100 mm or moderate rain from Friday to Saturday afternoon.

In the same period Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, and Occidental Mindoro are expected to have heavy rain of up to 100 to 200 mm.

Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro will also have 50 to 100 mm rain from Saturday to Sunday .

Batanes, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro may experience the same intensity of rain until Monday.

Meanwhile, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan will have 100 to 200 mm rain from Saturday to Sunday afternoon and Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, and Zambales may experience the same amount of rainfall until Monday.

In an advisory issued on Friday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) announced that Ipo Dam Management will commence the spilling of the dam at 9 am of August 28, due to the continuous rise in the dam’s water level brought about by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

"The initial operation will involve the opening of Radial Gate A by 15 cm, equivalent to an estimated spill of 35 cubic meters per second (cms)," it stated.

"The concerned LGUs of Angat, Bustos, San Rafael, Baliwag, Plaridel, Pulilan, Calumpit, Paombong, Hagonoy, the City of Malolos, and the Province of Bulacan have been informed for their appropriate action and necessary preparedness," the advisory added.

The OCD also advised those who are living in low-lying and flood-prone areas which will be affected by the waters that will be released from the dam "to remain alert, monitor official updates, and take the necessary precautionary measures". Robina Asido/PHS