Pagasa issues flood alert in Luzon, Visayas

MANILA, Philippines — Expect flooding in many parts of Luzon and the Visayas in the coming hours as Tropical Depression Ester intensifies the southwest monsoon or habagat, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The state weather bureau said monsoon rains are expected over Metro Manila, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), MIMAROPA (Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan due to the enhanced southwest monsoon.

The southwest monsoon will also bring scattered rainshowers over Bicol, Samar provinces, Aklan, Antique and the rest of Central Luzon.

The rest of the country will experience isolated rainshowers due to the monsoon and localized thunderstorms. PAGASA said flashfloods and landslides are possible during heavy downpour.

Ester is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility today, according to the state weather bureau.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Ester was monitored at 575 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes.

It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It was moving northward slowly and is expected to pass very close to or make landfall in the vicinity of Ryukyu islands today.

Ester will cause moderate to rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of the country, which may be risky for small seacraft.