MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed Pampanga and several other provinces under a heavy rainfall outlook as Tropical Cyclone Inday and the southwest monsoon (Habagat) continue to influence weather conditions across the country.
In Weather Advisory No. 13, issued at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, PAGASA warned that prolonged periods of moderate to heavy rainfall could affect large portions of Luzon and the Visayas over the next several days, increasing the risk of flooding and rain-induced landslides in vulnerable areas.
For Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon (July 12), Pampanga is among the provinces forecast to receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall, alongside La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, and Antique.
PAGASA cautioned that rainfall totals could be significantly higher in mountainous and elevated areas, where weather conditions often intensify. Areas that have already experienced continuous rainfall in recent days may also face an increased risk of flooding due to saturated soil.
Meanwhile, the weather bureau said Tropical Cyclone Inday is expected to bring 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall over Batanes from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon (July 11).
The southwest monsoon, enhanced by the tropical cyclone, is expected to bring heavier rainfall to other parts of the country.
From Thursday to Friday afternoon (July 10), rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters is forecast over Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.
Between Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon (July 11), PAGASA expects 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall in Occidental Mindoro and Antique. Another 50 to 100 millimeters is forecast over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur.
For Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, the agency forecasts 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall over Occidental Mindoro, Zambales, and Bataan, while several nearby provinces, including Pampanga, are expected to receive 50 to 100 millimeters.
PAGASA advised local disaster risk reduction and management offices to implement appropriate preparedness measures to safeguard lives and property as weather conditions evolve. Residents, particularly those living in flood-prone, low-lying, and landslide-susceptible communities, are likewise encouraged to remain vigilant and monitor official weather bulletins.
The agency noted that regional PAGASA offices may issue Heavy Rainfall Warnings, Thunderstorm Advisories, and other localized severe weather advisories when necessary.
PAGASA also reminded the public of the distinction between a Weather Advisory and a Heavy Rainfall Warning.
A Weather Advisory provides a broader rainfall outlook covering up to 24 hours and is generally issued at the provincial level to help communities prepare for potential weather impacts.
In contrast, a Heavy Rainfall Warning covers the next three hours and is issued down to the municipal or city level using Doppler radar observations. Because it relies on real-time rainfall monitoring, the warning offers greater accuracy for immediate response, particularly in areas vulnerable to flash floods.
Unless significant changes in weather conditions occur, PAGASA said its next weather advisory is scheduled for release at 11:00 p.m. Thursday.
