Tropical Storm Domeng even stronger as it enhances monsoon
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Satellite image of Tropical Storm Domeng (Maliksi) as of June 9, 2018, 10:30 am. Image courtesy of NOAA
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Domeng (Maliksi) slightly intensified yet again late Saturday morning, June 9, as it continued to enhance the southwest monsoon which is affecting Luzon and the Visayas.
In a bulletin issued 11 am on Saturday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Domeng now has maximum winds of 85 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 80 km/h and gustiness of up to 105 km/h from the previous 95 km/h.
The tropical storm is now located 565 kilometers east northeast of Basco, Batanes, moving north northeast at a slightly faster 21 km/h from the previous 17 km/h. Due to its direction, it is not expected to make landfall in any part of the Philippines.
There are no areas under tropical cyclone warning signals, but Domeng is enhancing the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat.
Domeng and the southwest monsoon combined will bring moderate to heavy rain to the regions of Metro Manila, Ilocos, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas, as well as the provinces of Bataan and Zambales, for the entire weekend. Residents of these areas should watch out for possible flash floods and landslides.
"Ang peak lang po dito sa area ng Metro Manila ay ngayong araw, Sabado (The peak in Metro Manila will be today, Saturday)," said PAGASA weather specialist Nikos Peñaranda in a Facebook Live video late Saturday morning.
Light to moderate rain will also hit the rest of Luzon and the rest of the Visayas due to the southwest monsoon. Floods are possible in low-lying areas. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)
PAGASA also warned that sea travel is risky in the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the western seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon.
"Malakas po ang hanging habagat, nagdudulot po ng malalaking alon (The southwest monsoon is strong, bringing huge waves)," Peñaranda said.
Based on its latest forecast track, Domeng is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday morning, June 10. By then, it could be a typhoon already.
Forecast track of Tropical Storm Domeng (Maliksi) as of June 9, 2018, 11 am. Image courtesy of PAGASA
PAGASA earlier declared the start of the rainy season on Friday, June 8, saying that the rainfall criteria have been met due to "widespread rainfall recorded in most PAGASA stations during the past few days."
– Rappler.com
