6 domestic flights canceled as Butchoy leaves

MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of departing passengers were stranded at the Manila Domestic Airport after the Manila International Airport Authority announced six domestic flights were cancelled yesterday due to bad weather.

Cebu Pacific Air cancelled their flights 5J625D, 5J626D, 5J627D, 5J628D, 5J373D and 5J374D, all departing for Dumaguete and Roxas Cities and their turnaround aircraft.

A Cebu Pacific official said their operations will resume immediately, and they will add more planes to accommodate the stranded passengers.

Typhoon “Butchoy” (international name Rammasun) left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday morning after leaving at least two people dead in southern Philippines.

But the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned of a new weather disturbance which is likely to affect the country, particularly Luzon, within the next 24 to 36 hours.

In a telephone interview, Pagasa weather forecaster Christopher Perez said the low pressure area located some 440 kilometers west-southwest of Iba, Zambales might develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 36 hours or earlier.

Perez said rains brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon (hanging habagat) would continue to pour over central and southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the next two to three days.

The weather bureau reiterated its warning to residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Butchoy dumped rains over the Visayas and Mindanao last week, causing massive flooding in some areas.

Perez said the new weather disturbance, which would be named “Cosme” once it develops into a tropical cyclone, is expected to trigger more rains over the western sections of southern Luzon and Visayas.

He said it might also hit landmass in northern Luzon if it further intensifies and maintains the same path.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Butchoy was spotted 1,330 kms east-northeast of Basco, Batanes or 660 kms east-southeast of Okinawa, Japan with maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Butchoy, the second tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, was forecast to move northeast at 33 kph. – With Helen Flores