Tropical Depression Henry brings rains, winds over Luzon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Henry brought heavy rains and gusty winds in some parts of Northern Luzon yesterday as the southwest monsoon continued to drench most parts of Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

The fast-moving cyclone was forecast to cross the Babuyan group of islands last night.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes, northern portion of Cagayan, including the Babuyan islands, northern portion of Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

Meanwhile, PAGASA weather specialist Ariel Rojas said the southwest monsoon, which was enhanced by Henry, will continue to bring rains over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Palawan and Western Visayas in the coming days.

Rojas warned residents of these areas, especially those living in low-lying and mountainous areas, against possible flooding and landslides.

Scattered rains and thunderstorms, he said, would prevail over the rest of the county.

Rojas also cautioned fisherfolk and those using small seacraft against venturing out over the seaboards of areas under Signal No. 1 and the western seaboard of Luzon due to moderate to rough seas associated with the approaching cyclone and the southwest monsoon.

At 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Henry was located at 180 kilometers east-southeast of Calayan, Cagayan, packing winds of 60 kilometers per hour near center and gustiness of up to 75 kph.

It was forecast to move west at a speed of 35 kph.

In a press conference earlier yesterday, PAGASA weather specialist Nikos Peñaranda said rainy weather is expected to persist in many parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila, throughout the week.

PAGASA also monitored a new low-pressure area tailing Henry.

As of 4 p.m., the low pressure area was spotted at 200 km east-southeast of Calayan, Cagayan.

Henry, the second weather disturbance to enter the country this month, was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility this morning.

PAGASA said two to four cyclones are predicted in July.

Preparations

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has made preparations for Tropical Depression Henry.

Authorities encouraged the public to prepare and not to be complacent about the prevailing weather situation. All are enjoined to monitor updates on weather systems through radio, television and social media.

NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad presided over the meeting attended by representatives from NDRRMC member-agencies, namely, the Departments of Science and Technology-PAGASA, Interior and Local Government (DILG), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Transportation, Information and Communications Technology, Public Works and Highways, and Education; Armed Forces of the Philippines; Philippine Coast Guard; National Mapping and Resource and Information Authority; National Economic and Development Authority; Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine National Police.

DRRMCs of the National Capital Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Cordillera Administrative Region and Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 joined the meeting through video-conference.

The national and regional DRRMCs likely to be affected raised the alert status to blue, effective 1 p.m. yesterday, in continuous monitoring of the prevailing weather systems in the country. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe