Tropical Depression Domeng to bring more heavy rain

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MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Domeng and the monsoon trough, or a portion of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), will continue to bring moderate to heavy rain to Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

In a bulletin issued 11 pm on Wednesday, June 6, state weather bureau PAGASA said Domeng is now 725 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, still moving north northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h). Due to its direction, it is not expected to make landfall in any part of the Philippines.

Domeng continues to have maximum winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 60 km/h. But PAGASA warned that it could intensify into a tropical storm within the next 24 hours.

There are no areas under tropical cyclone warning signals, but residents of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao should still be on alert for possible flash floods and landslides.

Once Domeng moves up north, it is also expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat. This means there will be moderate to heavy monsoon rain in Mimaropa and Western Visayas beginning Friday, June 8, and over the rest of the western part of Luzon, including Metro Manila, during the weekend. Flash floods and landslides are possible.

PAGASA Weather Division chief Esperanza Cayanan earlier emphasized that heavy rainfall, not strong winds, will be the main threat due to Domeng.

“Meron na tayong klase…. so kailangan mag-monitor tayo ng rainfall lalo na ngayong Huwebes, Biyernes,” Cayanan said in a press briefing late Tuesday afternoon, June 5.

(Classes have already begun…. so we need to monitor rainfall, especially on Thursday, Friday.)

Fishermen and those with small sea vessels are also advised not to venture out into the eastern and western seaboards of Luzon.

Based on its latest forecast track, Domeng is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday, June 10.

PAGASA has said that it expects to declare the start of the rainy season this week.

For the onset of the rainy season to be declared, the requirement is 5 straight days of rain generating a total amount of at least 25 millimeters (mm) of rainfall. These 5 days must also include 3 straight days of at least 1 mm of rainfall. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

– Rappler.com