THE southwest monsoon is expected to bring torrential rains over parts of Luzon through Monday, with Zambales and Bataan facing the highest rainfall outlook through Saturday afternoon, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
In the 5 p.m. advisory Friday, the weather bureau forecast 100 to 200 millimeters of rain over Zambales and Bataan from Friday through Saturday afternoon.
Rainfall of 50 to 100 mm was forecast over Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro during the same period.
From Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, Pagasa forecast 100 to 200 mm of rain over Occidental Mindoro.
Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Antique could receive 50 to 100 mm during the same period, it added.
Meanwhile, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro are expected to get 50 to 100 mm of rain.
The weather bureau said rainfall forecasts could be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, adding the effects could be worsened in areas that have already received significant rainfall.
Pagasa advised the public to take all necessary precautions.
The public was advised to refer to heavy rainfall warnings issued by Pagasa regional offices in connection with the suspension of classes.
In a related development, Malacañang announced on Friday that classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Metro Manila and 15 provinces will shift to alternative learning modes due to the poor air quality caused by the haze from Indonesia, as well as the heavy rainfall caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon.
Memorandum 134 covers the National Capital Region, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
