PAGASA: Above-normal rainfall soaked much of PH in early January

Heavy rains drenched large parts of the Philippines in the first half of January with much of the country recording above-normal rainfall, the state weather bureau said.

According to Anjo Pertierra’s report on Unang Balita on Wednesday, data from PAGASA covering January 1 to 19 showed wide swaths of Metro Manila, most of Luzon, and large portions of the Visayas that were marked in blue.

This was an indicator of rainfall totals that exceeded normal levels for this period.

PAGASA said extreme northern Luzon and parts of Central Luzon also experienced above-normal rainfall, heightening the risk of flooding and rain-related disruptions early in the year.

Meanwhile, areas shaded green on the rainfall map which signified near-normal rainfall were observed in parts of Mindanao, Central Luzon, and the Visayas, and localized areas in Batangas, Laguna, Leyte, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The state weather bureau attributed the persistent rains to several weather systems that affected the country in recent days, such as then Tropical Depression Ada, the Northeast Monsoon, and the shear line that enhanced cloud formation and precipitation across multiple regions.

PAGASA advised the public to remain vigilant, monitor official weather updates, and take necessary precautions especially in flood-prone and landslide-susceptible areas.

This is amid changing weather patterns that continue to influence rainfall distribution nationwide. — JMA, GMA Integrated News