‘Ferdie’ exits PAR, monsoon rains to persist over the weekend

Metro Manila, Philippines – Heavy rains will persist over several areas during the weekend even though Tropical Storm Ferdie already left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The weather bureau said ‘Ferdie’ left the country’s weather monitoring zone at 5 a.m, as it heads towards Okinawa, Japan.

Forecasters last spotted the storm - 1,145 kilometers Northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gusts of up to 105 kph.

However, the storm is still enhancing the southwest monsoon that is triggering rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) Mimaropa (Mindoro oriental and occidental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and Bicol.

Parts of the Visayas and Mindanao will also experience scattered rains.

Residents are warned against potential flash floods or landslides.

PAGASA earlier 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.]