Jun 112013
 

Filipinos going outdoors to take part in the celebration of Independence Day may have to bring umbrellas and rain gear, state weather forecasters said Tuesday afternoon.

In its special weather forecast for Independence Day, PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring rain particularly to Southern Luzon and Visayas.

“Bicol region, MIMAROPA and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered light to moderate rains and thunderstorms,” it said.

It added Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be “partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.”

Independence Day is considered a regular holiday.

President Benigno Aquino III is to lead Independence Day rites at the Liwasang Bonifacio on Wednesday morning.

On the other hand, the Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Transit will offer free rides at 7 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

For its part, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reminded motorists the number coding scheme is lifted for Wednesday. — TJD, GMA News

Jun 082013
 
PAGASA: 'Dante' intensifies; floods, landslides threaten parts of Luzon, Vis-Min

PAGASA: Tropical Depression ‘Dante’ spotted 690 km east of Aurora province. “Dante” maintained its north northwest path but picked up pace from 9 kph to 11 kph PAGASA Residents in parts of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao may have to brace for possible flash floods and landslides in the next 24 hours even as Tropical Depression Dante slightly hovered near Aurora province Saturday afternoon. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA indicated Dante slightly intensified but also slowed down along its track as well on Saturday afternoon. PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m., Dante was estimated at 730 km northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and moving northeast at 11 kph. As of 10 a.m., Dante packed winds of only 45 kph near the center and was moving north-northwest at 15 kph. “Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, MIMAROPA and the Visayas will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rain and thunderstorms that may trigger flash floods and landslides,” PAGASA warned. It added that Bicol and the rest of Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be “partly cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening,” it added. Also, PAGASA said moderate to occasionally strong winds from the southwest to west will prevail over northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to occasionally rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to Read More …