Monsoon to bring rains over Luzon today

MANILA, Philippines — Rains will prevail over Luzon today due to the southwest monsoon and the start of the rainy season, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said the monsoon and the frontal system may bring scattered rainshowers over Ilocos region, and Batanes and Babuyan Islands, respectively.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.

The public has been warned of possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to at times heavy rains.

Even as the rainy season has started, over 40 areas may experience dangerous heat index levels today, ranging between 42 and 47 degrees Celsius, PAGASA said.

Continuous exposure to high temperatures may cause heat cramps and  exhaustion, and possibly heat stroke.

Temperatures in Metro Manila will range between 26 and 34 degrees Celsius today.

Meanwhile, a motorized boat reported missing during the onslaught of Typhoon Aghon was found near Gumatong Shoal in Quezon on Wednesday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the M/B Mike Denmark-3 and its three crewmembers were found near Gumatong Shoal in Quezon.

The boat was last seen near the coast of Barangay Calutcot in Burdeos town.

Investigation showed the anchor line of the Denmark snapped after the boat was battered by strong winds and waves.

The boat also reportedly developed engine trouble and was spotted drifting by fishing boat Jhon Rey.

A rescue team composed of personnel from the PCG-Station Northern Quezon and municipal disaster risk reduction management office responded and brought the crewmembers to the shore.

The Denmark-3 was towed by its sister ship Mike Denmark-2 toward Calutcot Island.

Agricultural damage

Up to P22 million worth of agricultural crops and P365 million in infrastructure were destroyed by Aghon in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), according to the regional disaster risk reduction and management council.

The tropical cyclone displaced 369 farmers and fisherfolk, and destroyed 293 hectares of farmlands.

The Office of Civil Defense said five casualties were reported in Quezon including two who drowned and another who was hit by a falling tree.

Around 7,962 families composed of 32,850 people were affected in the region.

Of the figure 4,450 families are currently staying in 240 evacuation centers.

Fifteen barangays in Bay, Laguna have no water supply as the typhoon affected their ground water sources.

The barangays are Bitin, Calo, Dila, Masaya, Maitim, Paciano Rizal, Puypuy, San Agustin, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santo Domingo, Tagumpay and Tranca. – Evelyn Macairan, Ed Amoroso