Severe Tropical Storm Florita leaves PAR

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MANILA, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Florita (Prapiroon) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday afternoon, July 1.

In a bulletin issued 5:30 pm on Sunday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Florita is already 725 kilometers northeast of Basco, Batanes, moving north outside PAR at 17 kilometers per hour (km/h).

As it left, the severe tropical storm maintained its strength, with maximum winds of 90 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h.

Florita did not make landfall in the Philippines since its movement was upward. No areas were placed under tropical cyclone warning signals, too.

But the trough or elongated region of the severe tropical storm did bring rain, and it also enhanced the southwest monsoon.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms to Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Western Visayas. Residents in these areas should be on alert for possible flash floods and landslides.

The rest of the country, not affected by the southwest monsoon, will also have isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms. There could be flash floods and landslides as well, if rains become heavy. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)

PAGASA had declared the start of the rainy season last June 8. – Rappler.com