Domeng maintains strength, dumps rains

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Domeng maintained its strength as it dumped rains over most parts of the Visayas and Mindanao yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Domeng was forecast to enhance the moisture-laden southwest monsoon, which would bring rains over the western section of the country, including Metro Manila, this weekend.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the cyclone was spotted 755 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 60 kph.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said Domeng was forecast to move north-northwest at 15 kph in the next 24 hours.

 Perez said the cyclone might intensify into a tropical storm tomorrow as it continues to hover over the Philippine Sea.

Classes from pre-school to senior high school in Naval town in Biliran were suspended yesterday due to threats of flashfloods and landslides as Domeng brought moderate to occasional heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said a total of 485,636 family food packs amounting to P169,742,460.28 and other food and non-food items worth P778,574,135.77 are available for immediate distribution if Domeng intensifies into a typhoon.

Rainy season 

Perez said Domeng was unlikely to make landfall in any part of the country, but was expected to enhance the southwest monsoon, which could usher in the rainy season.

He said Domeng might trigger habagat or the southwesterly wind that would bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over Mimaropa and Western Visayas today.

The prevalence of the southwest monsoon is one of the criteria for declaring the start of the rainy season. – With Rainier Allan Ronda