PAGASA: ‘Habagat’ rains may cause flash floods, landslides in Luzon

National Capital Region (NCR) weather map on July 17, 2015 (Photo courtesy of PAGASA)

MANILA – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned residents in Luzon against “hanging habagat’s” rains that might cause flash floods and landslides.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin Friday, PAGASA said “monsoon rains which may trigger flash floods and landslides will be experienced over Ilocos region and Cordillera and the provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija.”

“Hanging habagat,” which is also known as the southwest monsoon – dumps rains to the country from April to October.

PAGASA further warned occasional rains will occur in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley and the rest of Central Luzon.

Other parts of the country, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

Luzon and Visayas will also experience moderate to strong winds coming from the southwest.

Other areas will also experience light to moderate winds, blowing from the southwest, affecting seas to be slight to moderate.

Meanwhile, PAGASA has issued a gale warning over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, adding strong to gale force winds are expected from “hanging habagat.”

It advises fishing boats and other seacrafts not to head out to sea, while also warning larger sea vessels against huge waves.