Tropical Storm Enteng continues to affect large parts of Luzon even as it moves away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In a press conference by PAGASA on Tuesday, it was reported that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #2 is still in effect for the western part of Ilocos Norte and the northern part of Ilocos Sur.
Areas under Signal #2 could experience wind speeds of 62 to 88 km/h within 24 hours, potentially causing minor to moderate damage to old, dilapidated buildings and structures made of lightweight materials.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect for other parts of Luzon, including the rest of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, the northern part of La Union and Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra and the western part of Cagayan, including Fuga and Dalupiri Islands.
Wind speeds in these areas are expected to range from 36 to 61 km/h within the next 24 hours, potentially causing minimal to minor damage to homes made of lightweight materials.
As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Tropical Storm “Enteng” is located 100 km west-northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, and is moving westward at a speed of 25 km/h towards mainland China.
Enteng is expected to leave the PAR on Wednesday morning, but this will still have an effect on the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), which could bring heavy rains to the western part of the country in the coming days.
“Influenced by the southwest monsoon, so kahit palayo na si Enteng… ito yung maaring magpaulan sa western part [We are affected by the Southwest Monsoon, so even though Enteng is moving away, it may still bring rain to the western section],” PAGASA weather specialist Rosalie Pagulayan said in an interview.
PAGASA issued a “yellow rain warning” for Zambales and Bataan on Tuesday, anticipating heavy rains and possible flooding in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rain with intermittent heavy downpours is expected in several areas of Luzon, including Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal and Cavite, over the next three hours.
According to PAGASA, residents of higher altitudes, mountainous areas and flood-prone areas are advised to exercise caution due to the high risk of landslides and floods.
Death toll
At least 13 people have been killed, mainly due to landslides and flooding caused by heavy rains due to Tropical Storm Enteng (Yagi) and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), according to a report by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Rizal province reported the highest number of deaths with eight, while Bicol recorded three and Cebu two.
One of the worst affected areas was Antipolo City, where seven deaths were confirmed, according to the Antipolo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) report.
Antipolo’s CDRRMO report on Monday said three people died from drowning and four others died in landslides.
The fatalities include two siblings, aged 15 and 12, and a 27-year-old pregnant woman who was due to give birth this month.
The three were all buried in a landslide in two separate houses along Daang Pari Road in Barangay San Jose, an area considered a “danger zone.”
Meanwhile, nearly 38,000 families were affected by the heavy rains and flooding caused by Tropical Storm Enteng and the southwest monsoon, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situation report on Tuesday.
About 40,000 people took shelter in 218 evacuation centers in various regions, including NCR, Region III, CALABARZON, Region V, Region VII and Region VIII.
The NDRRMC also reported that 157 areas remain underwater, mainly in CALABARZON, Region V, Region VII and NCR.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Development (DSWD) and local governments are distributing food parcels to families in these affected regions, reaching at least 12,000 families. – Edg Adrian A. Eva