MANILA – (UPDATED 10:52 A.M.) Tropical Storm Jolina may have exited the country Saturday (Aug. 26) afternoon, but it is still enhancing the southwest monsoon (Habagat) and rains may be expected in parts of the country for the next two days, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Habagat is affecting particularly the western part of Northern and Central Luzon. Rains are expected over Ilocos Sur and Norte, Zambales, Bataan and Pampanga.
Metro Manila will see fair weather, except for isolated rains and thunderstorms
No gale warnings have been issued.
Meanwhile, PAGASA is tracking a low pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, but it is still too far to affect the country, according to Michelle Ignacio, PAGASA forecaster.
Jolina exited PAR at 5pm Saturday, and is now in southern China.
Earlier, weather forecaster Samuel Duran had said that sea turbulence may persist in waters off Northern and Central Luzon even while tropical storm ‘Jolina’ (international name ‘Pakhar’) is moving away from the country.
“That’ll make sailing there still dangerous,” said Duran.
The direct effect of ‘Jolina’ – fanning turbulence in seas – will increasingly ease as this storm moves away from landmass, according to forecaster Duran.
The southwest monsoon or ‘habagat,’ which ‘Jolina’ enhances and “pulls” while this storm moves west-northwestwards away from the country, will instead fan sea turbulence in Northern Luzon waters, he said.
NDRRMC: 3,400 affected, no casualties
Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 549 families in three regions – later rising to 929 families or 3,397 persons – were affected by the inclement weather caused by Jolina. No death or injury has been reported.
The 549 families, equivalent to 2,047 people, are from 30 barangays in the Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera regions.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said 253 families or 928 persons are currently being served in 25 evacuation centers, and another 296 families or 1,119 individuals are being assisted outside evacuation centers.
Inclement weather caused by tropical storm ‘Jolina’ has so far displaced 929 families or 3,397 persons in Regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), NDRRMC said in its 8 p.m. update Saturday.
Of this number, 123 families or 395 persons are currently being served in 17 evacuation centers and 16 families, equivalent to 62 individuals, are being assisted outside of these facilities.
A total of seven flooded areas were also reported in Mariveles, Bataan, Quezon City and Valenzuela, according to the NDRRMC.
Earlier, the NDRRMC placed its operations center on ‘red alert’ for any contingencies arising from ‘Jolina.’
This is to ensure that personnel from member agencies like DOST-PAGASA, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Bureau of Fire Protection, AFP, PNP, and the PCG can render 24-hour duty and coordination for any eventuality.
