Monsoon rains to persist in Metro Manila, other parts of PHL as “Josie” traverses Bashi channel

(Eagle News) — Monsoon rains are expected to persist in Metro Manila and several parts of the country as Tropical Depression “Josie” continues to move in a north northeastward direction over Bashi channel.

As of 1 p.m., the center of  the tropical depression was situated 265 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

It is packing maximum sustained winds of 60 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 75 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA said “Josie” may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between tonight and tomorrow morning.

Signal Number 1 has been hoisted over Batanes, where occasional rains with gusty winds are still expected, while the Signal Number 1 over the Babuyan Group of Islands has been lifted.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring scattered to widespread monsoon rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Mindoro provinces, and northern Palawan including the Calamian Group of Islands.

“Sea travel remains risky over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Central Luzon, especially in areas under (Signal Number 1),” PAGASA said.