Tropical depression Henry enhances habagat, brings rain across Visayas

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Tropical Depression Henry is intensifying the southwest monsoon, or habagat, bringing cloudy skies, scattered rains, and thunderstorms across the Visayas on Wednesday, July 1.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the Visayas will experience overcast skies with intermittent rain showers and thunderstorms due to the strengthened southwest monsoon.

Pagasa also placed Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas under a general flood advisory on Wednesday morning because of the forecast of light to moderate rainfall.

In Cebu, the bureau reported possible increasing water levels in the Cotcot, Mananga, Guinabasan, Balamban, and Sapangdaku rivers, which may cause flooding in nearby communities.

READ: Visayas to see scattered rains, thunderstorms due to LPA

Residents living along these river systems, in low-lying communities, and near mountain slopes were advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions.

Pagasa also urged local disaster risk reduction and management offices to closely monitor conditions and prepare for possible flooding.

Aside from rain, the Visayas is expected to experience light to moderate winds with slight to moderate coastal waters throughout the day.

The enhanced southwest monsoon is likewise expected to bring scattered rains over the western portions of Southern Luzon and Mindanao.

READ: Pagasa retires 7 tropical cyclone names used in 2025

Henry moves over West Philippine Sea

Meanwhile, Pagasa has continued monitoring Tropical Depression Henry, which remains inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, the center of Henry was estimated at 115 kilometers west-southwest of Abucay, Bataan.

The cyclone was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near its center, with gusts reaching up to 55 km/h, while moving northwestward at 25 km/h.

READ: LPA may develop into cyclone by Wednesday, says Pagasa

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the southwestern portion of Zambales, including San Antonio, Castillejos, Subic, and Olongapo City, the western portion of Bataan covering Morong, Bagac, and Mariveles, as well as Lubang Island.

Pagasa said the combined effects of Henry’s outer circulation and the southwest monsoon may bring strong to gale-force wind gusts, particularly in exposed coastal and upland areas.

Areas expected to experience these gusty conditions today include Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan.

No gale warning has been issued as of Wednesday morning.

READ: Flood advisories up as LPA threatens Bicol, Visayas, Caraga regions

Expected to strengthen

Pagasa said Henry is forecast to continue moving west-northwest while gradually distancing itself from the Philippine landmass.

The tropical depression may exit the PAR by Thursday morning, July 2.

Forecasters also expect Henry to gradually intensify over the West Philippine Sea and possibly reach tropical storm strength by Thursday morning.

After strengthening, the cyclone is forecast to maintain tropical storm intensity for the rest of the forecast period.

Pagasa advised the public and local government units to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and take precautionary measures against potential hazards.

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