MANILA – The southwest monsoon or “habagat” is gradually weakening as Super Typhoon Yagi (formerly Severe Tropical Storm Enteng) moves away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

However, rains will continue across Luzon on Friday (06 Sept 2024).

“Heavy rains are still likely, especially in Northern and Central Luzon,” said PAGASA’s Benison Estareja.

Metro Manila

PAGASA forecasts intermittent rains in Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan. At the same time, Metro Manila, the Cordillera Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the rest of the Ilocos Region and Central Luzon will experience scattered rains and thunderstorms due to the monsoon.

Due to moderate to heavy rainfall, these areas may experience flash floods or landslides. Meanwhile, Yagi’s trough is expected to bring scattered rains to Batanes and the Babuyan Islands.

Localized thunderstorms are likely in the rest of the country, with strong winds and rough seas affecting western Luzon. The rest of Luzon will have moderate to strong winds, while other regions will experience light to moderate winds with calm to moderate seas.

Estareja noted that a low-pressure area outside PAR is not expected to enter the country in the next two days and will not affect local weather.

Typhoon Enteng’s Toll: 16 Dead, Over 2 Million Affected

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Friday that 2,061,726 people (or 538,602 families) from 1,900 barangays across 10 regions have been affected by Typhoon Enteng and the southwest monsoon.

As of the latest update, 36,330 individuals from 9,089 families are housed in 424 evacuation centers, while 2,928 families (11,349 individuals) are receiving aid outside these centers.

The death toll has risen to 16, with fatalities reported in Calabarzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Western Visayas. Additionally, 17 people are still missing, mostly from Bicol, and 13 individuals have been reported injured, with two confirmed cases.

The typhoon also damaged 5,965 houses, while infrastructure damage in affected regions, including Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, and Cordillera, is estimated at PHP223.6 million.

The government has provided PHP92.6 million worth of assistance to families in nine affected regions.

(ia/mnm)