New storm enters PAR, to exit Saturday

Metro Manila, Philippines – Tropical Storm Bebinca is now in the Philippine Area of Responsibility with the local name Ferdie, weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Friday, Sept. 13.

In a press briefing, the weather bureau said ‘Ferdie’ may exit the weather monitoring zone on Saturday.

Forecasters last spotted the storm east of extreme northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of 105 kph.

PAGASA said ‘Ferdie’ will enhance the southwest monsoon or habagat.

Heavy to intense rains are expected throughout the day and Saturday in Mimaropa, Sorsogon, Masbate, Western Visayas, and Negros Occidental.

Moderate to heavy rains may also persist over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, the rest of Bicol, and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

PAGASA issued a warning on potential flash floods or landslides.

Meanwhile, the bureau said two more weather disturbances may form in the next two weeks.

“Medyo malaki po ang implication niyan. Dahil ang inaasahan nating ulan sa malaking bahagi ng southern Luzon, Visayas, at ilang bahagi ng Mindanao. Kapag may nabuo pong sama ng panahon sa silangan ng ating bansa - imbes na three to four days ang ulan dito sa western part ng southern Luzon at Visayas at dito po sa area ng Mindanao ay magtutuloy-tuloy po ‘yan hanggang 5 to 6 days,” PAGASA said.

[Translation: This has quite a significant implication. We are expecting rains over big portions of southern Luzon, the Visayas, and some parts of Mindanao. If a weather disturbance forms to the east of our country - rains may persist for 5 to 6 days instead of three to four days in the western part of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, and in the Mindanao area.]