Rainy season is here; Ester moves northeastward

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially declared yesterday the onset of the rainy season in the western section of the country, including Metro Manila.

The announcement came as the low-pressure area off Batanes intensified into a tropical depression and is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over parts of Northern Luzon in the next days.

PAGASA acting administrator Vicente Malano said the prevalence of the southwest monsoon, high humidity and the occurrence of daily rainshowers and thunderstorms signify the onset of the rainy season over the western section of the country.

He, however, said monsoon breaks are likely and may last for several days.

Malano also warned the public against above normal rainfall in July and August.

“During the next two months, near (81-120 percent) to above normal (more than 120 percent) rainfall conditions are expected in most parts of the country,” Malano said.

The onset of the rainy season refers to areas under the Type I climate based on Coronas climate classification.

Most areas under the Type I climate are located over the western sections of the country. These include Metro Manila, Palawan, Mindoro, Cavite, Batangas, Bataan and Zambales.

Type I climate has two pronounced seasons – dry and wet. The dry season is from November to April and the rest of the year is the wet season.

Last year, the weather bureau also declared the start of the rainy season on June 10.

Signal No. 1 up

PAGASA said Tropical Depression Ester will also enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring moderate to heavy rains over the Ilocos region and parts of Central Luzon.

Light to moderate rains will also persist over Metro Manila until June 12, Independence Day, PAGASA weather forecasting section chief Rene Paciente said.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, storm warning signal no. 1 was hoisted over the Batanes Group of Islands.

PAGASA lowered the storm warning signal over Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands yesterday afternoon.

PAGASA said Ester has maintained strength as it slightly accelerated towards southern Japan yesterday.

The center of Ester was spotted at 200 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 p.m. yesterday with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour.

It was forecast to move northeast at 22 kph.

Paciente said Ester is expected to bring five to 15 millimeters per hour of rain within its 250-km radius.

He warned residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal no. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Ester is the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first weather disturbance this month.

PAGASA said Ester was forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility this morning.

Paciente said the depression was not expected to intensify further while inside the country’s territory.

He also said Ester is unlikely to recurve towards Luzon.

‘Suspend classes early’

The Department of Education (DepEd), for its part, yesterday urged local government officials (LGUs) to announce class suspension as early as possible during inclement weather.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali urged local officials to announce class suspensions as early as 5 a.m.

Umali said under Executive Order 66 issued by President Aquino in May 2012, LGUs have been given the responsibility to declare class suspensions in their respective jurisdictions during times of heavy rain and flood.

According to protocol, classes in kindergarten and pre-schools are suspended if public storm signal no. 1 is raised in their areas.

In areas where signal no. 2 is hoisted, classes in elementary and high school are suspended.

Once storm signal no. 3 is raised, classes in all levels, including college, are suspended.

Over 800 schools in Metro Manila are reportedly located in flood-prone areas.

Contingency measures sought

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also ordered yesterday its regional units to step up precautionary measures as Ester entered the country.

NDRRMC said it has advised local disaster managers to initiate preemptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas if necessary.

It also directed its local units to disseminate timely warnings and to monitor the situation in their respective areas.

“Emphasis should be on proactive actions – evacuation rather than rescue,” the NDRRMC said. – With Alexis Romero