Nimfa to exit the Philippines today

MANILA, Philippines — Severe tropical storm Nimfa (international name Tapah) is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility today but it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring rains over Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Nimfa was forecast to intensify further as it remained almost stationary over the northern portion of the Philippine Sea, according to the 5 p.m. forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

 The southwest monsoon will bring occasional light to moderate with intermittent heavy rains over Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro and Calamian Islands, the agency said.

Intermittent light to moderate rains with scattered heavy rain showers during thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines provinces and the rest of Central Luzon and northern portion of Palawan.

The agency warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas against possible flooding and landslides.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Nimfa was estimated at 630 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

PAGASA also reiterated its warning against going out to the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon and eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon due to rough to very rough sea conditions.

Visayas and Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains due to thunderstorms.