Domeng set to leave PAR, but monsoon still a threat

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MANILA, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Domeng (Maliksi) accelerated and slightly intensified as it continued to make its way out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before dawn on Sunday, June 10.

In a bulletin issued 4 am on Sunday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Domeng is now located 855 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, moving northeast at a faster 32 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 27 km/h.

The severe tropical storm now has maximum winds of 100 km/h from the previous 90 km/h and gustiness of up to 120 km/h from the previous 115 km/h.

Due to Domeng’s direction, it did not make landfall in any part of the Philippines. No areas were placed under tropical cyclone warning signals, too.

Even though Domeng is set to leave PAR, however, it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, which is affecting Luzon and the Visayas.

The enhanced southwest monsoon will trigger more moderate to heavy rain in Luzon, and light to moderate rain in the Visayas, on Sunday. Floods and landslides remain possible, so PAGASA advised residents not to be complacent. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

PAGASA also warned that sea travel is still risky in the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, the seaboards of Central Luzon, and the western and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon.

Based on its latest forecast track, Domeng is expected to leave PAR on Sunday morning, before 10 am.

PAGASA earlier declared the start of the rainy season on Friday, June 8, saying that the rainfall criteria have been met due to “widespread rainfall recorded in most PAGASA stations during the past few days.”

– Rappler.com