Metro Manila, Philippines – The state weather bureau has lifted storm alerts in the northern portions of the country as a tropical depression moved farther away on Friday afternoon, July 4, though it has enhanced the southwest monsoon that could bring rains over a wide section of Luzon.
In a 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) lifted Signal No. 1 over the western portion of Babuyan Islands, the western portion of Ilocos Norte, and the northwestern portion of Ilocos Sur.
The extension of Tropical Depression Bising and the southwest monsoon, or habagat, may continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over the Ilocos Region, Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and Antique.
Heavy rains are expected over Ilocos Norte and Batanes due to the extension of Bising, and Ilocos Sur and La Union due to the habagat, PAGASA said. It warned of possible flooding and landslides.
“Bising” was last spotted 345 kilometers west of Calayan, Cagayan. It left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) 12 p.m., Friday.
PAGASA said in its forecast that the tropical depression may re-enter the western boundary of the PAR by Monday, then exit again the northern boundary in the afternoon.
