Super typhoon "Hinnamnor" may merge with tropical depression "Gardo" which will further enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) that will trigger heavy rains over Luzon this week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said yesterday.
"Hinnamnor," which was still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility as of Wednesday morning, packs strong winds of 195 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 240 kph.
PAGASA said Hinnamnor was expected to be inside PAR on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience rain showers or thunderstorms with possible flash floods and landslides.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said "Gardo" is unlikely to directly affect the weather conditions in the country, including sea conditions over the coastal waters.
Tropical depression "Gardo" is forecast to move generally north-northwestward or northwestward throughout the forecast period as it interacts with super typhoon "Hinnamnor" outside the PAR.
"Gardo," moving northwestward at 10 kph, will degenerate into a remnant low as early as Wednesday afternoon or evening as "Hinnamnor" begins to assimilate its circulation.
"Gardo" packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Authorities have not yet hoisted any Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has already issued a general directive to its regional offices in preparation for the possible entry of super typhoon "Hinnamnor" into the PAR.
NDRRMC's disaster response teams are now on-standby in areas where the typhoon will likely landfall. Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments were already initiated at the regional level.
It has also strengthened risk communication and localized weather warnings to affected communities, particularly in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera regions.
