Heavy monsoon rains could impact parts of the Philippines again as Typhoon Saudel approaches the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), where it is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon, locally termed “habagat.”
State weather bureau PAGASA stated in a Sunday briefing that while Saudel is unlikely to make landfall, its entry through the northeastern boundary of PAR on Monday will enhance the weather system. Upon crossing into the domestic monitoring zone, the storm will be assigned the local name “Obet.”
As of Sunday, the typhoon was located 2,245 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon.
“Bagamat nga itong Saudel, base po sa track niya, medyo maliit naman yung posibilidad or almost less likely po na ito ay tumama sa kalupaan ng ating bansa, inaasahan natin na palalakasin nito yung habagat bandang araw nga po ng Martes hanggang Miyerkules,” Badrina said.
Meteorologists warned that the strengthened monsoon is anticipated to bring recurring heavy downpours, particularly across the western sections of Luzon and Visayas.
“Once na pumasok ito ng Philippine Area of Responsibility, bandang midweek po, asahan ng mga kababayan natin na magkakaroon na ulit tayo ng mga occasional heavy rains,” Badrina said.
PAGASA is simultaneously monitoring two other offshore weather developments. The former tropical cyclone “Neneng,” which regenerated after weakening into a low-pressure area, is not anticipated to re-enter PAR.
Meanwhile, another system located 1,205 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas is moving northeast and is projected to interact with Saudel while staying outside domestic boundaries.
“Itong bagyo naman sa may silangan ng Visayas ay posibleng sumunod siya sa bagyong Saudel. So nagkakaroon po sila ngayon ng interaction,” he said.
Even prior to Saudel’s arrival, the habagat was already causing heavy rainfall in Batanes alongside overcast skies and scattered showers over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Cagayan Valley.
Conversely, generally fair weather with potential isolated thunderstorms is expected across the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao.