Rain, thunderstorms; severe TS Podul nears PAR

Most areas in the Philippines will continue to experience rain showers on Sunday due to the southwest monsoon (Habagat), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected in the Ilocos Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Bicol Region, Quezon, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, with potential for flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.

Metro Manila and other parts of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, while light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas prevail across the archipelago.

Severe Tropical Storm Podul is located 1,875 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon and is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tonight or early Monday morning with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts up to 135 kph.

PAGASA warns that while Podul is unlikely to directly affect the country, residents should remain vigilant for possible flash floods or landslides during heavy rains.