Signal no. 1 raised over Metro Manila, 13 areas in Luzon as Butchoy brings rain

Moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in various areas of Luzon from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning as the low-pressure area (LPA) east of Quezon Province intensified into Tropical Depression Butchoy, PAGASA announced Thursday afternoon.

In its Severe Weather Bulletin, the weather agency said that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 1 has been raised over the following areas in Luzon:

• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Nueva Ecija
• Bulacan
• The southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan, San Luis)
• Metro Manila
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Cavite
• The northern and central portions of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Panukulan, Burdeos, Polillo, Patnanungan, Jomalig, Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, San Antonio, Tiaong, Dolores, Candelaria, Sariaya, Tayabas City, Lucena City, Pagbilao, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Unisan, Plaridel, Gumaca, Pitogo, Macalelon, Lopez, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez)
• Camarines Norte

According to PAGASA, areas under TCWS no.1 may experience occasional gusts associated with the tropical depression and the southwest monsoon.

The center of Butchoy was estimated at 75 kilometers northwest of Daet, Camarines Norte with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 55 kph at 4 p.m.

It is forecast to cross Polillo Islands and make landfall over northern Quezon-southern Aurora between Thursday evening and Friday morning.

According to GMA's resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz, Butchoy may be outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday night or Saturday midnight, on its way to southern China.

The next severe weather bulletin will be issued at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Cyclists ride through gutter-deep flood waters on Taft Avenue in Manila due to a sudden downpour on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Metro Manilan remains under a general community quarantine against COVID-19. DANNY PATA

Heavy rainfall outlook

Between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, Butchoy is expected to bring moderate to heavy with, at times, intense rains over CALABARZON, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Romblon.

It is also expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Oriental Mindoro, and the rest of Bicol Region and Palawan as well as light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains over the rest of Luzon and Visayas.

Between Friday morning and Saturday morning, it is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Mindoro Provinces, and Pangasinan.

Light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains is also expected over Western Visayas and the rest of Luzon.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in highly susceptible areas.

Coastal water conditions

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas are expected over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas in the next 24 hours.

PAGASA advised small seacraft to refrain from sea voyage while sea vessels were advised to take precautions against rough seas. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News