'Gener' leaves, but threat from monsoon rain persists

After causing more than 20 deaths, tropical cyclone "Gener" (Saola) finally left Philippine territory Thursday night, but the threat of flash floods and landslides from the monsoon remains, state weather forecasters said Friday.

 

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Ricky Fabregas also said they are keeping tabs on a potential cyclone approaching the country.

 

"Lumabas na ang bagyong si 'Gener' (pero) nakakaapekto na lang sa atin ang southwest monsoon. Apektado ang buong Luzon at Kanlurang Visayas," Fabregas said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He said this will cause scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over parts of Luzon.

 

On the other hand, he said the potential cyclone is still likely to only graze the Philippine area of responsibility.

 

"Ang gilid ng Philippine area of responsibility, doon lang siya dadaan, parang pagkilos ng bagyong si 'Enteng'," he said.

 

He also said the potential cyclone, to be codenamed "Helen" if it becomes a cyclone and enters Philippine territory, may enhance the southwest monsoon but not as intensely as "Gener."

 

'Improved' weather

 

Fabregas said the country can expect "improved" weather, but only in the sense that the rain will not be as intense.

 

"Kumpara sa nakalipas na araw mas maganda ang magiging lagay ng panahon pero may pagulan dulot ng habagat," he said.

 

PAGASA's 11 p.m. Thursday advisory said "Gener" moved away in a north-northwest direction, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph.

 

Flash floods, landslides

 

PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the southwest monsoon is affecting Luzon and Western Visayas.

 

"Luzon and Western Visayas will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rain over the western section of Luzon which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said.

 

The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago, making coastal waters moderate to rough.

 

On the other hand, it said strong to gale force winds from with the southwest monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. –KG, GMA News