PAGASA: Tropical Depression Luis brings widespread rain across PH

MANILA – Most parts of the country will experience rain on Monday due to Tropical Depression Luis and the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Luis maintained maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph. The tropical depression was located about 130 kilometers east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora, and was almost stationary.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over parts of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, eastern and southern Apayao, eastern Kalinga, eastern Mountain Province, eastern Ifugao, northern Aurora, the Polillo Islands, and northern Camarines Norte, where strong winds are expected.

The combined effects of the southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Luis will also bring strong to gale-force wind gusts across the Visayas, most of Luzon, and parts of Mindanao, including Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

Moderate to rough seas are expected along the eastern seaboards of Isabela, Aurora, mainland Cagayan, Pangasinan, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, the Polillo Islands, Catanduanes, Northern Samar, as well as the seaboards of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands, and the northern coasts of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

PAGASA advised mariners operating motorbancas and other small vessels to take precautionary measures before venturing out to sea due to hazardous marine conditions.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau said Luis may make landfall or pass close to Northern Luzon on Monday night or early Tuesday before weakening into a remnant low by Wednesday. (PNA) -Philippine News Agency