MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Saudel and Tropical Depression Inari have strengthened the southwest monsoon that is affecting northern and central Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Monday.
Typhoon Saudel was expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this morning or afternoon and would be called "Obet", weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said.
As of 3 a.m. Monday, "Saudel" was 1,600 kilometers east northeast of extreme northern Luzon.
Pagasa forecasted that it would turn into a super typhoon but it would be outside PAR on Tuesday.
"Typhoon Saudel and the tropical depression with the international name Inari which is formerly Neneng are strengthening the southwest monsoon. The southwest monsoon or habagat is currently affecting northern and central Luzon. The effect of the southwest monsoon mostly in Luzon will last for the next four days," Aurelio said.
"Rainy weather is still expected in Batanes, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms in the rest of the Cagayan Valley, the entire Cordillera [Administrative Region], Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Batangas, Cavite, and Rizal," he said.
The rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of sudden downpours due to thunderstorms.
Aurelio reminded those in Batanes to prepare "because of the expected intense or heavy rains that can possibly cause a flood or landslide.”
