Central Luzon warned against heavy rain

MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA warned residents of Central Luzon to expect “heavy to intense” rains Monday evening, August 19, due to the monsoon enhanced by tropical storm Maring (international codename Trami).

“Let’s focus on Central Luzon. There’s a big possibility that the region will suffer heavy rain this afternoon and tonight,” Pagasa-NCR officer-in-charge Esperanza Cayanan said in a 4 pm briefing Monday, August 19. 

Central Luzon is the rice granary of the Philippines. It includes Aurora, the province battered by Labuyo last week. The other provinces in the region are Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales. 

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chair Eduardo Del Rosario said they have instructed responders and local authorities in the area to prepare for the possible onslaught of heavy rains Monday evening. 

Del Rosario said Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region are also preparing for heavy rains. 

NDRRMC said it cannot yet recommend the suspension of classes in Central Luzon because the weather bulletin may change between Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning. PAGASA is scheduled to update its bulletin not later than 5 am Tuesday. 

“It may be premature,” said Del Rosario. 

“Expect that anything can happen,” added Cayanan. 

State of Calamity 

Region 4A suffered the worst of the monsoon rains on Monday, in particular the provinces of Cavite and Laguna. A state of calamity was declared in these two provinces.

A total of 12,072 families or 94,226 individuals were affected by the monsoon rains. Most of them — 12,072 families or  60,460 individuals comprising about 60% of the total — are from Region 4A.

At least 3 casualties were reported Monday.

• Franco Pedrito Cawayan of Cabugao, Apayao died from a vehicular accident
• Celedeñonio Gamban of Tanzan, Cavite drowned
• Austin Betasolo of Binangonan, Rizal died as a fence collapsed

Asked if the worst is over for Cavite and Laguna, Del Rosario said they cannot be certain. Maring remains “quasi-stationary” in its position.  — Rappler.com