PAGASA chief urges vigilance despite improving weather

The public is advised to remain vigilant despite the forecast improvement of weather this week, after days of heavy rains caused by several weather systems.

In a Palace briefing Monday, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Administrator Nathaniel Servando said the weather is expected to gradually improve starting Tuesday.

“We advice fellow citizens, especially those in areas affected by the recent heavy rainfall, to be vigilant and, if possible, to rely on official advisories issued by the government,” he said.

PAGASA data showed that Baguio City has received the biggest rainfall amount reaching 1,413 millimeters (mm) from Aug. 1 to 9, which Servando said is equivalent to about a month and a half of rainfall since the normal rainfall in the area during August is around 963 mm.

Zambales and Pangasinan were also severely affected by the heavy rains.

In a Viber message to the Philippine News Agency, Servando said PAGASA's Iba, Zambales station recorded 957.6 mm of rains from Aug. 1-9, surpassing the normal 929.1 mm recorded in that station.

"Almost a month's worth of rains was dumped in just nine days," he said.

For the first nine days of August, Dagupan, Pangasinan station recorded 576.3 mm rainfall. Its monthly normal or average rainfall for August is 619.5 mm.

Quezon City has also received almost a month's worth of rainfall. The Science Garden station in Quezon City recorded 511.6 mm of rains from Aug. 1-9, surpassing the normal 568.5 mm of rainfall for August, Servando said.

He said rains will continue to prevail until Wednesday, but this will be concentrated on several areas such as Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro.

"In terms of intensity, this will also be reduced to about 50 to 100 mm of rains," he added.

-Ma. Cristina Arayata/Philippine News Agency