Sarah weakens; monsoon brings more rains

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Sarah continues to weaken but rains will still be experienced in several parts of the country due to the northeast monsoon, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

At 10 a.m. yesterday, the center of Sarah was estimated at 430 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said. 

With maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, Sarah is moving north northeast at 15 kph.

“Sarah is no longer expected to bring significant rainfall activity over the country. However, due to the northeast monsoon, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains may be experienced over Metro Manila, Bicol region, Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan,” PAGASA said.

At the same time, the state weather bureau said gusty conditions may still be experienced over Batanes and Babuyan Islands also due to the surge of the northeast monsoon. This condition is expected to gradually weaken throughout the day.

PAGASA also warned that sea travel remains risky, especially for small sea craft, over the seaboards of Northern Luzon (Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos provinces and Isabela) due to prevailing rough sea conditions caused by the northeast monsoon.

Sarah is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility between last night and this morning. It is forecast to gradually weaken as it moves toward the East China Sea.

Officials said torrential rains brought by Sarah initially left three people dead in Isabela, Cagayan and Apayao provinces.

Police said Alvin Viernes was found floating lifeless in an irrigation canal in Barangay Raniag, Ramon, Isabela.

In Cagayan, Francisco Bambalan suffered cardiac arrest when a fallen tree struck the comfort room of his house on Wednesday in Barangay Dungan, Rizal town.

In Conner, Apayao, Jasmar Bandung was crossing a creek when he was swept away by strong currents during the heavy downpour last Wednesday. 

As this developed, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III assured the families of overseas Filipino workers affected by the storm that they will be provided temporary employment.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has also committed to give calamity assistance to affected OFW families.

OWWA administrator Hans Cacdac said they allotted P21.4 million for the provision of assistance to families of active members.