Storm Falcon, monsoon rains trigger flooding, landslides around the country

AS TROPICAL STORM Falcon crossed on a north-northwest track over the tip of Luzon, the southwest monsoon also brought rain, triggering landslides and flooding in different areas across the country, including in the southern island of Mindanao. Several road sections in the mountainous region of the Cordillera were temporarily closed. Weather bureau PAGASA, in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, said Falcon is expected to exit the country by Friday morning. For Thursday, moderate to heavy rains are still expected in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, northern Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, and Romblon. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, and the rest of Luzon and Visayas. Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring another low pressure area, which was spotted 180 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.