Northeast monsoon to induce big waves

MANILA, Philippines - Fishermen were warned against sailing in the waters off the seaboards of Luzon, the eastern seaboard of Visayas and the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao due to big waves generated by the northeast monsoon, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said rough to very rough seas are expected in the provinces of Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Isabela, Samar and Leyte in the next 24 hours.

The provinces of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, the eastern coasts of Albay, Sorsogon and Quezon, including Polillo Island, will also have rough to very rough sea conditions.

PAGASA said waves are expected to reach as high as five meters in these areas.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau advised operators of small sea vessels against sailing in the waters off Agusan del Norte, Batangas, Burias Island, Cavite, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Island, Marinduque, Masbate, Metro Manila, Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Siargao, Surigao and the southwestern coasts of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Quezon.

PAGASA said rough to very rough seas would prevail over these areas, with waves expected to reach 3.4 meters to 4.5 meters.

Forecasters said the northeast monsoon would continue to prevail over Luzon and Visayas, bringing cold winds and isolated light rains over most parts of the region.

PAGASA said the Eastern Visayas and Mindanao, the areas affected by excessive rain from a low pressure area in the past several days, would continue to experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains.