Pagasa: Monsoon rains to continue this weekend

MANILA, Philippines — Most parts of Luzon will continue to experience this weekend moderate to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, which is being enhanced by Tropical Storm Karding and another tropical depression west of extreme Northern Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said monsoon rains will prevail over Batanes, Babuyan Group of Islands, Ilocos region, Cordillera Administrative Region and the western section of Central Luzon.

Residents of these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low-lying and mountainous areas were advised to take appropriate action against possible flooding and landslides.

The southwest monsoon will also bring scattered light to moderate to at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Mindoro provinces, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.

PAGASA said Karding was not expected to make landfall in any part of the Philippines. It was forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility last night or this morning.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the center of Karding was estimated at 1,080 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 75  kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. It was moving west slowly. 

Meanwhile, the other tropical depression was still outside the Philippine area of responsibility. As of 3 p.m., it was spotted at 1,155 km west of extreme northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 75 kph.