2 to 3 tropical cyclones forecast this month

MANILA, Philippines - Two to three tropical cyclones are likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month, threatening areas in Luzon, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Rene Paciente, weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said tropical cyclones during September normally enter southern Luzon and exit through central Luzon.

In September last year, tropical cyclones “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” caused massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby areas, killing nearly a thousand people and damaging billions of pesos worth of properties.

Meanwhile, Paciente said a low pressure area east of Basco, Batanes and tropical storm “Florita” and typhoon “Glenda” will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Luzon.

Florita and Glenda left the Philippine area of responsibility last Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.

Paciente said the low pressure area, which was spotted 220 kilometers east of Basco as of 2 p.m. yesterday, is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours.

However, he said the weather disturbance is unlikely to make landfall in any part of the country.

Paciente said northern and central Luzon will experience monsoon rains in the next three days while the rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains or thunderstorms.

Pagasa also warned the public against big waves in the seaboards of northern, central and southern Luzon due to the surge of the southwest monsoon associated with Florita.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” Pagasa said.