Moving north at 15 kilometers per hour, typhoon “Nangka” is now heading towards the southern part of Japan. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang says that though Nangka will no longer enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), it continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat”.

As habagat prevails, monsoon rains are expected over the Ilocos Region and Benguet province. Rains experienced over the past days or week may have resulted to saturated soil. This condition can trigger flash floods and landslides especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.

Occasional rains are expected over Cagayan Valley, the rest of Cordillera, and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan, while Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

Gale warning is still up over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon. Thus, sea travel is risky due to the rough to very rough seas with wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters and wind force of 52 to 63 kilometers per hour. These include the northern coasts of Cagayan, Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and the eastern coasts of Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora.

On the other hand, Galang also mentioned that the weather bureau continues to monitor the El Niño phenomenon, which has a 90% chance of intensifying, allowing it to last until the end of this year. Meanwhile, he added that there is an 80% probability that it will likely to continue until next year or by mid-2016. All are advised to monitor updates from PAGASA.

The Philippines remains “bagyo-free” as the typhoon with international name Nangka remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It was last spotted at 1,530 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon. Packing winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 185 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move north-northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.

At this velocity, the forecast tracks of PAGASA and other weather agencies show that Nangka has a slim chance of entering the boundary. However, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar explains that if ever Nangka enters, it will just stay over the upper right corner of the PAR.

It continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or hanging habagat but compared to the previous days, rains will be oriented mostly over the northern and western areas of Luzon. Monsoon rains will be dumped over the Ilocos Region and Benguet province, bringing hazards of flash floods and landslides. Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan will experience occasional rains, while the rest of the country will have a generally fair weather aside from possible isolated thunderstorms.

As habagat prevails over the PAR, it also affects the sea condition in the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are still not allowed to venture out into the sea as wave height could reach up to 4.5 meters.

Today, monsoon rains and occasional rains are expected to be experienced over Luzon. While monsoon rains brought about by the habagat could last for days or even a week, usually falling in the western section of the country, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Buddy Javier explains that occasional rains occur irregularly, are not that frequent and are patchy in nature.

Meanwhile, last July 2014, a total of four (4) tropical cyclones entered the PAR namely Florita, Glenda, Henry and Inday. Among these, only Glenda made landfall over the country, particularly over Luzon. PAGASA says an average number of 3 to 5 tropical cyclones could enter PAR during the month of July and this year, we already had Egay and Falcon. All are still advised to monitor updates as the possibility of more cyclones is expected in the coming days or weeks.

Traveling may be one’s source of relaxation, discovery and adventure. But sometimes, it can also be the source of stress, like what happens during flight cancellations.

A flight can be cancelled for several reasons, whether within or beyond the airline’s control. In case you encounter this, here are some things you should know as a consumer.

Based on the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Joint Administrative Order No.1:

– In Section 11 (Right to Compensation and Amenities in Case of Cancellation of Flight), a passenger has the right to be notified beforehand via public announcement, written notice and flight status update via text message.

– A passenger who is notified when he/she is already at the airport at the time of the cancellation announcement must be provided with sufficient refreshments or meals, hotel accommodation, transportation from the airport to the hotel, access to calls, text or e-mails, and first aid (if necessary).

– The value of the fare including taxes and surcharges shall be reimbursed in case the passenger decides not to fly the ticket or all the routes or sectors.

– In a cancellation less than 24 hours before the ETD, a passenger shall be endorsed to another air carrier without paying any fare difference in case there is a need for re-accommodation. A passenger can rebook the ticket without additional charge, to the next flight with available space or within thirty (30) days to a future trip within the period of validity of the ticket.

Inclement weather is one of the major factors for force majeure. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Chris Perez, an unfavourable weather condition can cause flight mishaps due to the turbulence caused by cumulonimbus clouds, and low visibility brought by heavy rains and uncontrollable gusty winds.

– In case the flight was cancelled due to a force majeure, safety and security purposes that is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, a passenger has the right to be reimbursed for the full value of the fare.

View the Air Passenger Bill

Sources:
Department of Trade and Industry
Department of Transportation and Communications
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is continuously monitoring the typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with international name “Nangka”. The name contributed by Malaysia, means “jackfruit”.

As of 3 PM, Typhoon Nangka was last located at 1,570 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph and gustiness of 185 kph, moving north at 15 kph.

State Meteorologist Jori Loiz said that if Nangka maintains its current speed and direction, it has a low probability of entering Philippine boundary. Fortunately, no other weather disturbance is expected to affect the country apart from Typhoon Nangka.

However, Typhoon Nangka, currently bringing rain showers over the Ilocos Region, Baguio and Cordillera, is enhancing the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat.

Visayas and Mindanao can look forward to good weather conditions though occasional rains will be experienced this week due to the southwest monsoon. Residents particularly in the western section of Luzon are advised against the possibility of flashfloods and landslides.

According to PAGASA, habagat will bring rains this weekend. Monsoon rains will be experienced throughout Luzon and Western Visayas, particularly over the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon. Residents are advised against flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon including Metro Manila, Western and Central Visayas will have occasional rains, while the rest of the country will have fair weather aside from isolated thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Nangka was last located at 2,300 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Jun Galang said that Nangka is expected to enhance the habagat as it moves closer to Philippine Area of Responsibility. Rainy weather in most parts of Luzon is expected next week.

Typhoon Falcon, with international name Chan Hom, intensified as it left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 2AM today.

Garnering maximum wind strength of 165 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 195 kph, Typhoon Chan Hom moves northwest at 22 kph.

It made its closest approach to Okinawa in Japan, which is still experiencing strong winds and heavy rains. Chan Hom is forecast to move towards Shanghai this weekend.

As it moves further away from the Philippines, here’s a look at the highest amount of rainfall recorded this rainy week.

Despite Falcon’s exit from PAR, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring more rains over Luzon and Visayas particularly in its western portions.

Today, the habagat will continue to bring rains over Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Cordillera, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. These rains may bring flashfloods and landslides.

The rest of Luzon, Western and Central Visayas, on the other hand, can expect occasional rains as the rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms in the following hours.

As for the weekend weather, PAGASA’s latest forecast show that Metro Manila will experience gradually lessening rains by Sunday and Monday.

Meanwhile, the gale warning advisory is still up over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. The seas will be under rough to very rough conditions, along with strong to gale force winds. Venturing out into these seaboards is risky due to the enhanced southwestmMonsoon and the typhoon.

In other news, Typhoon Nangka intensifies as it continues to move westward at 20 kph.

State Meteorologist Jun Galang said that the current forecast track show it will not enter PAR. However, as it nears our area of responsibility, it will also enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring occasional rains over Luzon, Western and Central Visayas by late weekend.

Nowadays, going through a day without electricity seems like an insufferable feat. But with the Philippines being the most storm-exposed country in the world, power outages can happen as frequent as typhoons visiting our country. This is why these tips might come in handy the next time you need to survive a day without power.

1. Unleash your competitiveness!
Whether it’s stretching your limbs in unthinkable ways during a game of Twister or making enemies by sweeping all properties in Monopoly, these good old-fashioned games are sure to ease your boredom and give you a good dose of laughter.

At night, you can also play hide and seek with your family. The eeriness that comes with the total darkness will surely add a whole new level of spookiness the game!

2. Play with your furry friends.
Without your phone and laptop as distractions, you can finally spend some quality time with your pets. Teach them tricks or rub their belly, and earn an instant cuddle buddy.

3. Hone your hidden talents.
Take your guitar out of its dusty case and learn the chords to your favorite song. You can even give your your pipes a good workout belting out Beyonce songs in preparation for your next videoke spree. Whatever your talent is, now is the perfect time to improve them.

4. Time to do some chores!
There’s no better time to give your home a good cleaning than now. Without the incessant need to check on you gadgets, you can finally focus on clearing stuff off your bed and actually having a space to sleep.

5. Take a stroll around the block.
While strolling down the quiet streets of your neighborhood, you can use the time to clear your head and think. You can also just enjoy the buzzing of cicadas, the light of the moon overhead and, if you live far away from the city, the warm glow of fireflies against the stillness of the night.

6. Enjoy a candle lit dinner
Make your dinner classier and more romantic by dotting the table with candles. Enjoy your meal with the soothing rhythm of rain pattering down the roof. Whip up something warm and comforting, like a pot of sinigang, and afterwards, a steaming cup of tea, hot chocolate or coffee.

7. Prepare to tell your scariest stories
The darkness and silence go well with a good ghost story. Use your flashlight for a full-on scary effect, and enjoy screams and squeals of your family and friends.

8. Catch up on your sleep
You can finally get your much needed sleep with no one calling your phone or badgering your social media accounts. Let your body get some rest so you’ll feel recharged when the lights come on.

So the next time you find yourself enveloped in darkness with no electrical gadgets to turn to, remember that it’s not the end of the world! If you allow your creativity to take over, you’ll find many ways to make sure that the powerless hours can still be well spent.

“Egay” may have left the boundary but the rains are not over yet. That’s because a typhoon with international name “Chan-Hom” has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday evening. It was given the local name “Falcon,” the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the boundary this year. At 10:00 AM today, the eye of the typhoon was located at 1,250 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Packing winds of 130 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 160 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. The said typhoon has a slim chance of hitting the land but will cause the surge of habagat. If it maintains speed and direction, Falcon will possibly exit the PAR by Friday.

While Egay continues to move further away from the PAR, it enhances the habagat, bringing rains over the western section of Luzon and Visayas. PAGASA Weather Specialist Rene Paciente says Falcon will trigger the same wind system in the latter part of the day. Thus, a rainy Wednesday is expected.

Monsoon rains will be dumped over the provinces of Mindoro, Palawan, Bataan and Zambales. Residents are still alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Light to moderate rains are expected over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera and Western Visayas, while the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of isolated thunderstorms.

Associated with habagat, rough to very rough sea conditions are expected in the entire seaboards of Luzon. Wind force will range from 52 to 63 kilometers per hour, resulting to wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are prohibited to sail while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

After days of traversing our boundary, Tropical storm “Egay” has finally moved out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Based on the final bulletin of PAGASA, the center of the storm was estimated at 320 kilometers west-southwest of Basco, Batanes.

Packing winds of 85 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 100 kilometers per hour, Egay is expected to move north at 7 kilometers per hour. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza explains that the ridge of high pressure area (HPA) has influenced Egay’s slow course during the past few days.

As Egay moves farther away from the country, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat”. Moderate to occasionally heavy rains will be dumped over Calayan & Babuyan Group of islands, Zambales, Bataan, Benguet and Ilocos Region while Metro Manila, Mindoro, Palawan and Western Visayas will have light to moderate rains and thunderstorms. The rest of the country will experience generally fair weather aside from the chance of isolated thunderstorms.

Gale warning is still up over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon. Rough to very rough sea conditions with wave height ranging from 3.4 to 4.5 meters will be experienced, making it risky for fishing boats and other small seacraft.

Meanwhile, typhoon “Chan-Hom” still poses threat to the PAR. It was last spotted at 1,620 kilometers east of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour, it is expected to enter the PAR this afternoon or evening.

Once it enters the boundary, it will be given a local name “Falcon”, the sixth tropical cyclone to enter PAR this year. According to Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, it is less likely to hit the landmass but will enhance habagat, bringing rains over the country in the coming days.

On the other hand, another cyclone with international name “Nangka” was estimated at 3, 450 kilometers east of Luzon. Mendoza says it has a slim chance of entering the PAR but all are still advised to monitor updates.