Bavi, enhanced southwest monsoon to bring heavy rains, strong winds

Intense rainfall and strong winds are expected across several areas of the country due to the combined effects of Typhoon Bavi (local name Inday) and the enhanced southwest monsoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday.

The weather bureau hoisted storm wind signal No. 2 over Batanes, the eastern portion of the Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan due to the effects of Bavi, based on its 11 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin.

It warned that affected areas may experience minor to moderate life-threatening winds over the next 24 hours.

Storm wind signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of the Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Ilocos Norte.

Under this wind signal, minimal to minor life-threatening winds are expected over the next 36 hours.

PAGASA said that most parts of the country are also expected to experience gale-force wind gusts from Friday to Saturday due to the enhanced southwest monsoon and the periphery of the typhoon.

Apart from strong winds, intense rainfall is also expected in several areas until Monday due to Bavi and the enhanced southwest monsoon, the bureau said in a separate 11 a.m. weather advisory.

An orange rainfall warning was raised over Occidental Mindoro and Antique, where heavy to intense rainfall is expected until Saturday noon.

A yellow rainfall warning, which indicates the likelihood of moderate to heavy rainfall, was also raised over Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.

Both orange and yellow rainfall warnings are expected to remain in effect over the same areas until Monday noon.

PAGASA warned of possible flooding in areas under the orange rainfall warning and localized flooding in areas under the yellow rainfall warning. — Edg Adrian A. Eva