Up to 4 cyclones to enter Philippines in August

MANILA, Philippines — Up to four tropical cyclones are expected to enter the Philippines next month that may bring much-needed rain in Angat Dam, the main source of potable water of Metro Manila residents.

Ariel Rojas, weather specialist at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said two to four cyclones are predicted to enter the country in August.

Northern Luzon, he added, is the usual track of cyclones during this month.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area, which has enhanced the southwest monsoon, left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon.

PAGASA senior weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said the low-pressure area was forecast to move toward China or Vietnam.

Aurelio said the southwest monsoon will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains today over parts of Southern Luzon and Metro Manila.

He said improved weather condition is expected over these areas by tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Angat Dam’s water level as of 6 a.m. yesterday was 163.34 meters, slightly up from 162.4 meters on Sunday.   

The dam – located in Norzagaray, Bulacan – supplies about 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs.

Ana Liza Solis, chief of PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section, earlier said “near to above normal” rainfall is expected in most parts of the country next month, except for patches of below normal rainfall in some parts of southeastern Mindanao.