Enhanced southwest monsoon to trigger more rain in parts of Philippines

Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro are expected to have heavy to intense rain from the southwest monsoon on Wednesday, June 11

MANILA, Philippines – The tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is still enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, the weather bureau said early Wednesday, June 11.

As of 3 am on Wednesday, the tropical depression was located 610 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales, slowly moving east southeast. It is not directly affecting the Philippines.

The tropical depression has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

It had developed on Tuesday, June 10, from the low pressure area (LPA) that exited PAR.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 4 am forecast that the enhanced southwest monsoon continues to affect Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

In a separate advisory issued at 5 am, PAGASA said the most affected areas are the following:

Wednesday, June 11

• Heavy to intense rain (100-200 millimeters): Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro
• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Antique, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar

Thursday, June 12

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro

Friday, June 13

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Batanes

For Wednesday, other parts of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and the Visayas not mentioned in the advisory above, as well as Caraga and the Davao Region, are expected to have scattered rain and thunderstorms. The rest of Mindanao will only have isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Areas with rain from the southwest monsoon should stay on alert for possible floods and landslides.

Meanwhile, PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said the weather bureau is monitoring a cloud cluster located east of the country, over the Philippine Sea. This cloud cluster might develop into an LPA in the next two days.

The Philippines has yet to have a tropical cyclone in 2025. PAGASA earlier said one or two tropical cyclones are expected to form within or enter PAR in June. For the next six months, or from June to November, there could be 11 to 19 tropical cyclones.

The start of the rainy season was declared on June 2, while the southwest monsoon’s onset was announced on May 30. – Rappler.com