Moderate to times intense rains over several provinces due to Butchoy, southwest monsoon

Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, northern portion of Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, and Occidental Mindoro will have moderate to heavy with at times intense rains, PAGASA reported in the latest Severe Weather Bulletin.

In the 2 a.m. post, the weather bureau also reported that there will be light to moderate with at times heavy rains over CALABARZON, Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, and the rest of Luzon.

The public is warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

So, concerned public and disaster risk reduction and management offices are advised to take appropriate measures and continue to monitor the Rainfall or Thunderstorm Advisories or Heavy Rainfall Warnings of PAGASA Regional Services Divisions.

Tropical Depression Butchoy maintains its strength and is now moving towards Zambales province.

As of 1 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Butchoy was estimated in the vicinity of Mabalacat, Pampanga packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kph and moving in the west northwest at a speed of 25 kph.

The following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 are: 

• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Nueva Ecija
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila

These areas under TCWS No. 1, the Visayas, Southern Luzon and the western portion of Mindanao may experience occasional gusts associated with the tropical depression and the Southwest Monsoon.

Meanwhile, storm signals over Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Quezon, and Aurora have been lifted.

Moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. With the sea condition, small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea while larger sea vessels must take precaution against rough seas.

Butchoy has made landfall over Polillo, Quezon at 5:30 PM and Infanta, Quezon  at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Tropical Depression expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Sunday evening as it is forecasted to be 1,160 kilometers west northwest of extreme Northern Luzon. -- BAP, GMA News