Tropical Storm Krovanh, locally called Pilandok, has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), while the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rainfall in parts of Luzon, posing a risk of flooding, according to the state weather bureau on Thursday.
Krovanh exited PAR at 4:30 a.m. and was last located 1,085 kilometres Northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 8:00 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
“Pilandok has slightly accelerated as it moves away from PAR. Currently, it is not directly affecting the country,” PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said during a 5:00 a.m. press briefing in Filipino.
The tropical storm has intensified with maximum sustained winds reaching 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 105 kph, as of 8:00 a.m.
Ms. Loreto said that Krovanh is unlikely to reenter the country despite its track being affected by a high-pressure area.
PAGASA continues to monitor Tropical Storm Saudel, formerly locally known as Obet, which was located 575 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, as of 8:00 a.m. It also intensified to 75 kph of maximum sustained winds and 125 kph of gustiness.
Both tropical storms are affecting the direction of the southwest monsoon, causing rainfall to concentrate along the Western and central portions of Luzon, Ms. Loreto said.
Areas such as Ilocos Norte, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro are expected to experience heavy downpours, or rainfall between 50 to 100 millimeters within the next 24 hours.
PAGASA warned that localized flooding and landslides could threaten these areas, especially those in high-risk areas.
“Rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon is still expected over the weekend, and we’re seeing it being extended until next week,” Ms. Loreto said, noting that affected areas would vary depending on the weather systems that may persist within PAR. — Edg Adrian A. Eva
