Habagat to cause rain in west Luzon; LPA outside PAR now a tropical depression

The low pressure area monitored outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility has developed into a tropical depression as of Wednesday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

In an advisory issued 4 p.m., the weather bureau said Tropical Depression Rumbia was 995 kilometers north-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 p.m.

Rumbia had maximum sustained winds moving at 60 kpg near the center with a gustiness of 75 kph.

It was moving 25 kph in a  north-northwest direction.

Although weather system had no direct effect on any part of the country, PAGASA said the Southwest Monsoon is expected to affect the western section of Luzon.

Particularly, the afternoon weather forecast said Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands is expected to experience monsoon rains.

In view of possibly moderate to occasional heavy rains, affected residents were advised to prepare for possible flooding and landslides.

Flooding is also possible in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Zambales, and Bataan, where the southwest monsoon is expected to bring cloudy skies scattered rains and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of  the country are expecting partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA said these areas should still be prepared for possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains or thunderstorms foreseen.

PAGASA will be issuing the next advisory on Rumbia on Thursday at 11 a.m. —Margaret Claire Layug/NB, GMA News