By Brian Campued
Guess it’s time to play Lola Amour’s “Raining in Manila” on repeat again as the rainy days are finally back.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Thursday officially declared the onset of the rainy season in the country, particularly over the western sections of Luzon and the Visayas.
According to PAGASA, occasional to frequent rains associated with the southwest monsoon (habagat) have been observed in the past five days, following the announcement of the onset of the habagat on May 30. Habagat is among the precursors for the rainy season.
“Yung onset po ng rainy season, base sa criteria na ating ginagamit ay nakapasa na po yung majority ng mga stations natin kaya naman po official na po nire-release ng PAGASA na rainy season na,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said in a public briefing.
Aside from rainfall patterns, among the indicators prior to the declaration of the rainy season is the persistence of low-level southwesterly windflow in the western section of Luzon and the weakening of the easterly winds.
However, monsoon breaks or periods of reduced rainfall may still occur and last for several days or weeks.
“Hindi po porke’t na rainy season na ay tuloy-tuloy na mga pag-ulan yung mararanasan natin, lalo na sa western section ng ating bansa, dahil posible pa rin po yung mga monsoon break,” Manalo said.
“Ibig sabihin, kahit na rainy season, may mga tiyansa pa rin, at least three days na magkakasunod ay hindi tayo makaranas ng mga pag-ulan,” he added.
Enhanced habagat rainfall may also be experienced over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas during the rainy season due to the looming El Niño.
The public and concerned agencies are likewise advised to take precautionary measures against the possible adverse impact of the rainy season, habagat, and other climate and weather events.
-av
