Improved weather seen as Huaning exits Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Northern and Central Luzon can expect improved weather this week as Tropical Storm Huaning (international name Haitang) exited the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday.

But the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continued to warn against big waves in the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In its 24-hour weather forecast, PAGASA said cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are still expected over the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila and the rest of the country. 

Huaning and Gorio (international name Nesat) enhanced the southwest monsoon last week, triggering heavy rains in many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila and the Visayas.

A total of 639 families or 2,739 individuals were affected by monsoon rains in Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

As of 7 a.m. yesterday, the center of Huaning was spotted at 750 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes. It packed winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Huaning was moving north northwest toward Southern China at a speed of 24 kph.

PAGASA was also monitoring another typhoon east of extreme Northern Luzon.

PAGASA weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said the cyclone with international name Noru was located at 1,975 km east of Basco as of yesterday morning.

Packing winds of 170 kph and gustiness of up to 210 kph, Noru was forecast to move westward at nine kph.

Quitlong said Noru was unlikely to move closer to the country’s landmass but would just pass near the northern border of the Philippine area of responsibility.

DSWD starts relief operation

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started distributing relief items to augment the supplies of local government units in areas affected by the heavy rains brought by Gorio.

The DSWD said the relief supply augmentation will focus on northern Luzon. At least 500 family food packs will be delivered in Mountain Province; P8,874.48 will be given to the municipality of Bakun, Benguet; and P42,578 worth of assistance extended to La Union.

At least 1,172 displaced families or 5,403 persons are staying with relatives or friends in Region 1 and Cordillera Administrative Region. At least 157 displaced families or 642 persons from Region 1, CAR, Region 4-A and the National Capital Region are staying in 11 evacuation centers in these areas.

“Despite the exit of Gorio, the country continues to experience sporadic rainshowers especially in Luzon due to the monsoon rains and the arrival of Tropical Storm Huaning. We urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to continue to coordinate with their LGUs to prevent any untoward incidents,” Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said. 

“The DSWD and our field offices remain ready to assist municipalities and cities in need of augmentation support if their resources are no longer enough for their affected constituents,” she added. – With Rainier Allan Ronda