Public vigilance urged as LPA continues to bring rains

Local

HEAVY rains from the southwest monsoon have drenched Cebu for days.

State meteorologists on Monday, June 9, issued a final general flood advisory for Central Visayas, including Cebu, following days of heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by a lingering low-pressure area (LPA) over Northern Luzon.

In its 6 a.m. advisory on June 9, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said major river systems in Cebu, including Kotkot, Mananga, Guinabasan, Balamban, and Sabangdaku, were no longer likely to overflow.

But the weather bureau still urged vigilance in low-lying and flood-prone areas, especially as scattered rains and thunderstorms remain likely throughout the week.

While no rivers in Cebu are currently under threat, floodwaters have been reported in several parts of Metro Cebu, including Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City, following back-to-back downpours since June 6.

Commuters waded through knee-deep waters on major roads, and traffic slowed to a crawl during evening rush hours.

In Barangay Alpaco, Naga City, a 75-year-old farmer died after being swept away by flash floods over the weekend.

The victim, Deonisio Bonghanoy Labitad, had gone out in the rain to tend to his carabao early Saturday morning.

He was later found lifeless in a nearby river and was declared dead on arrival at the Naga City Infirmary.

Pagasa reported that from June 1 to 8, 125.5 millimeters of rain fell over Cebu, nearly 70 percent of the province’s monthly average of 180.7 mm. On Friday alone, rainfall reached 65.7 mm.

The LPA, located west of Northern Luzon as of Monday morning, is not expected to make landfall or develop into a tropical cyclone. However, it continues to intensify the southwest monsoon, which will likely persist over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the coming days.

Safety warnings remain in place for residents in flood-prone barangays and for operators of small sea vessels, such as motorbancas, due to moderate to rough sea conditions and the possibility of sudden gusts of wind.

Despite the downgrade of flood threats in major river systems, local disaster councils continue to monitor localized flooding, especially in urban centers where drainage systems are easily overwhelmed.

Pagasa advised the public to stay tuned to official bulletins and avoid spreading unverified weather alerts.

This is Pagasa’s sixth and final general flood advisory for this weather disturbance, unless significant rainfall occurs in the coming days.(TGP)