The southwest monsoon is now affecting the western section of extreme Northern Luzon. Light to moderate rains will be experienced over Batanes Group of Island.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will enjoy generally fair weather though isolated rain showers due to thunderstorm activities are still possible.

Meanwhile, another weather disturbance is being monitored by the Japan Meteorological Agency. PAGASA said that this weather disturbance could intensify into a tropical cyclone. It is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) next week and will have the same movement as cyclone Hanna’s (Saudelor).

More rains for August

The month of August has an average of 504.2mm amount of rains. Based on the latest data from PAGASA, since August 1 until yesterday, 193.9mm rainfall has been recorded. Compared to last month, more rains will be experienced this month.

The southwest monsoon locally known as habagat is now only affecting the western section of Northern Luzon. This will bring light to moderate rains over Ilocos Region.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy sky with isolated rains or thunderstorms.

However, in the coming days, most parts of the country will receive less rainfall due to the monsoon break. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza, a monsoon break happens when the habagat weakens.

#WalangPasok: Classes cancelled due to water interruption

Due to Maynilad’s rotating water interruptions, some schools and universities in Manila have cancelled their classes.

The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, prevails over Luzon and Visayas today. This will bring occasional rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, and the Provinces of Mindoro, Palawan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Bataan, Pampanga and Zambales.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over the Eastern Visayas and the rest of Luzon. The rest of Visayas and Mindanao will have Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail

According to PAGASA, no weather disturbance is monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Water Interruptions starts tomorrow

Due to the flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Maynila (Maynilad) will re-align some of its major pipe lines along Tondo, Manila, resulting to rotating water interruptions.

As Typhoon Hanna crosses Taiwan, it slightly weakens. Now, with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 185 kph, it is expected to move northwest at 20 kph.

Based on the latest data of PAGASA, Hanna was located at 415 kilometers north-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio says that if it maintains speed and direction, it is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this afternoon, between 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Once it exits our boundary, it will head towards the southern part of China.

Though Hanna gradually makes its path away from the country, storm signals are still up over the extreme Northern Luzon.




Areas under storm signals are still alerted against stormy weather brought by the typhoon. Meanwhile, Hanna continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which will dump rains over Western Visayas, Mindoro, Ilocos Norte and Apayao. Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Zamboanga Peninsula, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon and Visayas. The rest of Mindanao will have a generally fair weather aside from possible isolated thunderstorms.


Due to habagat, sea conditions remain rough to very rough over the seaboards of Luzon, Panay Island, and Visayas and Mindanao. All fishing boats and other small seacraft are still prohibited to travel as wave height could reach 4.5 meters.


Aurelio says that in the coming days, the effect of habagat will be concentrated over Luzon, while areas in Visayas and Mindanao will experience improved weather conditions.


On the other hand, the tropical cyclone outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) intensifies into a tropical storm, now being called “Molave.” According to Aurelio, it is expected to move north, thus, has a slim chance of entering our boundary.


This August, 2 to 4 tropical cyclones are expected to prevail in the PAR.

Typhoon Hanna, still within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), was located at 395 kilometers east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes at 10:00AM today. It maintained its strength, packing winds of 165 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 200 kilometers per hour. Hanna is expected to move west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Benison Estareja says if its velocity does not change, it will possibly leave the PAR by Saturday noon.

As Hanna moves closer towards Batanes-Taiwan area, storm signals are still up over some parts of Northern Luzon. These include Batanes province and Itbayat under Signal Number 2 while Signal Number 1 is raised over Calayan and Babuyan group of islands, along with the Northern Cagayan.



Stormy weather will prevail over these areas. Despite the slim chance of landfall activity, Hanna continues to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat”. Monsoon rains will be dumped over Western Visayas, Palawan and Mindoro, where flash flood and landslide could occur.

Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, ARMM, Bicol Region, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera, the rest of Visayas and the provinces of Marinduque and Romblon will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. The rest of the country including Metro Manila will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms.

Aside from the monsoon rains, habagat will also affect the sea condition over the northern and eastern seaboard of Luzon, seaboards of Palawan, southern seaboard of Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao. Sea travel remains risky for fishing boats and other small sea craft due to rough to very rough sea condition.



Meanwhile, another tropical depression was spotted outside the PAR. According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Manny Mendoza, it was last located at approximately 2, 700 kilometers east of Luzon. As of now, it has a very slim chance of entering the boundary. However, all are still advised to monitor updates and further development.

For many, the onset of the rainy season has always been cause for worry. Aside from the rains making our daily commute more challenging, it can also pose threats to our health.
Just as there are certain fruits that help you beat the sweltering heat during hot and dry season (Fruits that Beat the Hot Weather), so are there fruits to keep you healthy when the weather turns wet. Below are some examples:

Guyabano – Hailed as the “miracle fruit,” the guyabano contains a natural product found in plants called acetogenins that fight cancer, and are believed to be 10,000 times more potent than Adriamycin, which is used in chemotherapy. Guyabano is also a rich source of Vitamins C, B1 and B2, potassium, magnesium, thiamin and dietary fiber. Such nutrients give your body energy while helping it fight fever, cough and colds and other viral infections.







Santol – Rich in Vitamins C, B, phosphorus, iron, and fiber that boost the body’s immune system and promote proper cell metabolism, the Santol can also be used as a treatment for skin problems such as rashes, psoriasis and other fungal infections that flood water may cause. Santol leaves can also be used as poultice to treat irritated skin and other skin diseases.







Rambutan –This fruit may look a bit scary because of its red, hairy shell, but experts don’t call it a “super fruit” for nothing. Rambutan has high fiber content, which facilitates the reduction of body fat. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, which helps in flushing out toxins, and fighting infections.

Lanzones – Don’t get fooled by its size! Lanzones, although small, is a fruit packed with nutrients that protect your body, not only from common diseases, but also against serious illnesses. Aside from being a good source of fiber, it also acts as a natural antioxidant, helping you maintain healthy skin and strong teeth. The skin of the fruit can also be used as a natural mosquito repellant. Just burn them a little and let the smoke waft through the room to ward off those pesky insects.







Atis – If you’re not a fan of sour fruits but need to consume Vitamin C, try devouring the sweet and creamy white flesh of soursop, known here in the Philippines as atis. This green, round fruit can supply you with an excellent amount of Vitamin C that boosts you immune system. It also helps control blood pressure, and strengthens muscles and bones. Atis is also a good source of fiber and potassium, which help relieve diarrhea and other intestinal problems.



Stay healthy with these natural wonders during the wet season! The next moment you see them in groceries, markets and roadside fruit stalls, grab the opportunity to stock up on these nutritious fruits to keep you and the whole family sickness-free even when it’s rainy.

The typhoon with international name “Soudelor” has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was given a local name “Hanna”. At 9 AM today, the eye of the typhoon was estimated at 1,390 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Packing winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 250 kilometers per hour, it continues to move in a west-northwest direction at 20 kilometers per hour. If it maintains speed and direction, it is expected to exit the PAR by Saturday.

As of now, there is still a slim chance for Hanna to make landfall, but the enhancement of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” remains. Monsoon rains will be dumped over Mindanao, where flash floods and landslides are expected. Residents are alerted, as soil may already be saturated for those areas affected by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) during the past few days.

Meanwhile, Visayas and the province of Palawan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have generally fair weather aside from the possible isolated thunderstorms.

As habagat prevails, rough to very rough sea conditions are expected over the seaboards of Mindanao and the eastern seaboard of Visayas. Wave height could reach 4.5 meters, thus, sea travel is risky for small seacraft.

HANNA vs. YOLANDA

Yolanda of 2013 may be remembered as one of the strongest and destructive typhoons that made landfall on the Philippines. If we compare it with Hanna, it has the same intensity as Yolanda’s. As of now, PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza says both typhoons have maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

Despite going to the same direction (west-northwest), Yolanda and Hanna differ in terms of track. Yolanda traversed the Visayas region and parts of Southern Luzon, while Hanna has a slim chance of hitting any part of the country.

It seems like we are going to welcome the first week of August with rainy weather. “Soudelor” continues to intensify, now with maximum sustained winds of 210 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 245 kilometers per hour. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Glaiza Escullar says that as it traverses the ocean, it is likely to intensify and fall under super typhoon category due to the ocean heat and moisture content.

The eye of Soudelor was last spotted at approximately 1,995 kilometers east of Luzon. Moving in a west-northwest direction, it will possibly enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow, Wednesday. Once it enters the boundary, it will be given its local name, “Hanna”.

Escullar also mentioned that there is a slim chance for Soudelor (Hanna) to make a landfall. However, it can indirectly affect the Philippines by enhancing the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat”. The surge of habagat could bring rains over some parts of the country. Meanwhile, she added that public storm warning signals will possibly be raised over extreme Northern Luzon as Soudelor heads towards Taiwan.

Today, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) prevails as the dominant weather system affecting Palawan and Mindanao. The entire Mindanao, Western and Central Visayas along with the province of Palawan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the archipelago will have generally fair weather aside from isolated thunderstorms.

As we welcome the first week of August, a tropical cyclone threatens to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). Based on PAGASA’s data, the cyclone with international name “Soudelor” was last spotted at 2,220 kilometers east of Luzon.

Garnering winds of 160 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 195 kilometers per hour, it is expected to move west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour. PAGASA Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza says if it continues to behave at this velocity, Soudelor will possibly enter the PAR by Wednesday and will be given the local name “Hannah.”

As of now, there is a slim chance for the typhoon to hit the landmass. However, Mendoza alerts the public that even without a landfall activity, it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat”, which may bring rains over the western section of Visayas and Mindanao.

Soudelor is still too far to affect the country but rainy weather will prevail over some parts of the country due to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). ITCZ is an area where winds coming from the northern and southern hemispheres meet. When winds converge, clouds are formed, bringing rains and thunderstorms over the affected areas. This weather system is also considered the breeding ground of low pressure area.

Mindanao, Western Visayas and the province of Palawan will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have a generally fair weather aside from the isolated thunderstorms.