Storm outside PAR seen bringing rains to Luzon

A TROPICAL depression outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has further intensified into a tropical storm and was given the international name “Bebinca.”

“Bebinca is expected to enter PAR on Friday afternoon or evening and exit PAR on Saturday morning,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

If Bebinca enters the PAR, it will be given the local name “Ferdie.”

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Bebinca was some 1,825 km east northeast of the Eastern Visayas region, or some 1,955 km east of southern Luzon. It was moving westward at 25 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

PAGASA said Bebinca was forecast “to intensify into severe tropical storm within 24 hours and may reach typhoon category on late Thursday.”

Bebinca will be far from the Philippine landmass, PAGASA said, but it will enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring heavy rainfall to the Bicol and Mimaropa regions, the Visayas, and the northern and western portions of Mindanao starting today.

PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina said there is a possibility Bebinca will not enter the PAR.

“The track of tropical storm Bebinca is almost at the northeastern boundary so there is also a possibility it won’t enter PAR,” added Badrina.

Badrina said there is a slim chance Bebinca will make landfall on Philippine landmass.

Badrina also said the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Bebinca, may bring rains to Metro Manila and Central Luzon in the coming days.

“Whether or not it enters the Philippine area of responsibility, tropical storm Bebinca will enhance the southwest monsoon which will again bring rains,” he said.

The country is still reeling from the effects of severe tropical storm “Enteng” which caused flooding in a number of areas, including in Metro Manila.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) placed the death toll from Enteng at 21, with 26 others still missing. Twelve of the fatalities are in Calabarzon.

Enteng has affected 754,007 families (2,834,721) persons in Metro Manila and nine other regions. Of the number, 24,313 families (71,925 persons)