Habagat to bring rains, thunderstorms over Luzon, Visayas

The State Weather Bureau Pagasa warned on Monday, August 17, that the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat will bring rains across much of Luzon and the Visayas. The agency forecasts partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms throughout the Visayas and the rest of Luzon, as the monsoon system continues to draw moisture toward the western section of the country.

Heavier rainfall is expected in specific regions. Metro Manila, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro will see cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms. Occasional rain is also forecast for Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan. PAGASA cautioned that moderate to at times heavy rain may trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in low‑lying and mountainous areas.

In contrast, Mindanao will remain mostly unaffected by the monsoon. The region will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms caused by localized afternoon thunderstorms. Residents in the monsoon‑affected areas are advised to stay alert, monitor weather updates, and take necessary precautions against possible hazards brought by the rains.