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MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Falcon (Danas) and a low pressure area (LPA) will both continue enhancing the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat, which is affecting Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Western Visayas.
In a briefing past 5 pm on Wednesday, July 17, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Falcon is already 265 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.
The tropical storm is still moving north northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h).
It also maintained its strength, with maximum winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
The same areas remain under tropical cyclone wind signals.
Signal No. 2:
- Batanes
Signal No. 1:
- Apayao
- Cagayan
- Ilocos Norte
- Babuyan Group of Islands
PAGASA warned of stormy weather in Batanes, while rain and gusty winds are expected in Apayao, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and the Babuyan Group of Islands.
Falcon had made landfall in Gattaran, Cagayan, at 12:30 am on Wednesday. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)
Meanwhile, the LPA which is also enhancing the southwest monsoon is now 180 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, located over the West Philippine Sea.
The LPA only has a slim chance of developing into a tropical depression, according to PAGASA Weather Specialist Aldczar Aurelio.
But due to Falcon and the enhanced southwest monsoon, more rain is expected even in areas without tropical cyclone wind signals.
Wednesday night, July 17, until Thursday, July 18
- Moderate to heavy rain
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Cavite
- Batangas
- Occidental Mindoro
- northern part of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo islands
- Romblon
- Light to heavy rain
- rest of Luzon
- rest of the Visayas
There may be flash floods and landslides in areas affected by Falcon and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Sea travel also remains risky in the seaboards of areas under Signal Nos. 1 and 2, the seaboards of Luzon, and the western and eastern seaboards of the Visayas.
Falcon is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday, July 19.
Falcon is the Philippines’ 6th tropical cyclone for 2019. The first 5 were all tropical depressions. (READ: LIST: PAGASA’s names for tropical cyclones in 2019)
The Philippines gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually, but since 2019 is an El Niño year, only 14 to 18 tropical cyclones are expected.
Below is the estimated number of tropical cyclones from July to December:
- July – 2 or 3
- August – 2 to 4
- September – 2 to 4
- October – 2 or 3
- November – 1 or 2
- December – 0 or 1
PAGASA declared the start of the rainy season last June 14. – Rappler.com
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