Cebu may experience rain until November 2

CEBU, Philippines - Those travelling or visiting cemeteries come All Saints' and All Souls' Days are advised to bring umbrellas as cloudy skies can be expected in Cebu on these days next week, PAGASA said.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Jr. of PAGASA Mactan also said intermittent rains and thunderstorms may occur in some areas. These will be due to the formation of an Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

The ITCZ is a rain-producing weather system that appears like band of clouds, usually thunderstorms.

"Starting today (October 29) to November 2, we can expect light to moderate rains that may stop at times and may occur again. It's best to bring umbrellas to cover you from the rain that is more likely to occur because of ITCZ," Quiblat told The Freeman yesterday.

Meteorologists describe the ITCZ as the belt of converging trade winds and rising air that encircles the Earth near the Equator; the rising air may produce high cloudiness, frequent thunderstorms, and heavy rainfall.

When heavy downpour occurs, Quiblat warned public transport and private vehicles to be extra careful while traversing slippery roads as people travel to their respective hometowns or in going back to the city.

He added that travelling across the waters may not be a problem since the wind force blowing from the northeast to north will only be light to moderate, causing small or moderate waves.

Meanwhile, PAGASA's Regional Services Division for Visayas has issued a special weather outlook for the long break as huge crowds are expected to troop to cemeteries to make the traditional visit to their loved ones to offer candles and prayers.

PAGASA-Visayas chief Engr. Oscar Tabada said that today, Sunday, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorm may be experienced in the morning or in the afternoon.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains will also prevail on October 31 (Monday) but Tabada said there may be heavy rainfall and thunderstorm expected in the afternoon or in the evening.

The same may be experienced on November 1 (Tuesday),  he said, with cloudy skies and light to moderate rains and thunderstorm that may occur infrequently.

On November 2 (Wednesday), cloudy or sunny periods may be experienced in Cebu province but with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms in the afternoon.

PAGASA has not spotted any tropical cyclone that may develop or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the term used to refer to the imaginary boundary on the map enclosing the country.

Keep safe

Meanwhile, Governor Hilario Davide III reminded those traveling out of town to be vigilant and to always secure their belongings.   Davide visited the Cebu South Bus Terminal for a surprise inspection. He instructed the terminal management to ensure the security of passengers.

"Hopefully, orderly lang gihapon. Kinahanglan i-secure ang atong commuters gyud. Bantayan ning mga bad elements, mga snatchers nga mosulod sa terminal," Davide said.

CSBT head Joey Herrera said security measures are in place and he is asking passengers to cooperate. He asked passengers to follow security personnel and guidelines implemented at the terminal so that everything will be in order.

"Mao nay naobserbaran sa mga pasahero. Naay pagka-strikto gamay… open bag man gyud dayon sulod nila (at the terminal)," Herrera said.

Twenty-two personnel from the Cebu Provincial Police, 50 personnel from different offices of Capitol, and nine blue guards also from Capitol are helping secure the terminal.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, at least 400 buses have been dispatched to ferry at least 28,000 passengers out of the city.

"Manghinaut ta nga dili magdungan, aron dili mapuno (terminal)," he said.

The terminal management has provided tents at the back and front area inside CSBT that serves as holding area for passengers. This is to ensure that there will be no line outside the terminal. — May B. Miasco and Le Phyllis F.  Antojado (FREEMAN)