The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday officially declared the onset of the southwest monsoon, or habagat, as Severe Tropical Storm Domeng continued to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
As of 11 a.m., Domeng was located 875 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and gusts of up to 125 kph.
PAGASA said the storm may reach typhoon strength by Saturday evening or Sunday morning and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday.
The weather bureau warned that Domeng and the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring rains over Palawan, Occidental Mindoro and Antique, with possible flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas.
Scattered rains and thunderstorms are also expected across the Bicol Region, Quezon, Samar and parts of Northern Luzon.
Despite the rainy conditions, PAGASA warned of “danger” level heat index values of up to 44 degrees Celsius in some areas, including Cavite City and Infanta, Quezon.
