MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos should always bring their umbrellas with them as the rainy season has officially begun in the country, state weather bureau PAGASA announced Friday.
In a statement, PAGASA said the occurrence of “widespread rainfall” during the past few days confirmed the onset of the rainy season over the western part of the country.
“These areas, including Metro Manila, will continue to experience scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms in the coming days,” it said.
The state weather bureau added: “However, such rain events may be followed by dry periods (also known as a ‘monsoon break’) that could last for several days to two weeks.
PAGASA is calling on the public and government agencies to take precautionary measures against the impact of the rainy season.
The wet season also signals the typhoon season with more than 20 tropical cyclones visiting the Philippines annually.
The state weather bureau also announced Friday that Tropical Depression Domeng has strengthened into a tropical storm.
“Domeng” —expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Sunday—continues to boost the southwest monsoon or habagat, which brings moderate to heavy rains over Aurora, Bataan and the regions of Bicol, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.
READ: 'Domeng' intensifes into a tropical storm