PAGASA warns of possible flash floods, landslides as thunderstorms threaten Mindanao on October 26
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA — The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is expected to bring cloudy skies, scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Zamboanga Peninsula, Misamis Occidental, Basilan and Tawi-Tawi on Monday, October 26, with possible flash floods and landslides in areas affected by moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its regional weather forecast issued at 5 a.m. on Monday, PAGASA said the weather system would affect these areas throughout the forecast period, which runs until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27.
The agency warned that the expected rainfall could trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in communities vulnerable to water accumulation, unstable slopes and other rain-related hazards.
The rest of Mindanao is forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms. PAGASA cautioned that severe thunderstorms in these areas could also trigger flash floods or landslides.
Zamboanga Peninsula faces persistent rain
Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay are expected to experience cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms during both daytime and nighttime.
Forecast temperatures in Zamboanga City range from 24 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 to 32 degrees Celsius at night. Zamboanga del Norte may record temperatures of 25 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day, dropping to 26 to 32 degrees Celsius overnight.
Zamboanga del Sur is forecast to have temperatures ranging from 22 to 33 degrees Celsius during the day and 23 to 31 degrees Celsius at night, while Zamboanga Sibugay may experience temperatures of 23 to 33 degrees Celsius during the day and 24 to 31 degrees Celsius overnight.
Isabela City is also expected to experience rain showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 31 degrees Celsius at night.
PAGASA advised residents in these areas to remain alert for sudden downpours and possible flooding, especially in low-lying communities and places prone to landslides.
Northern Mindanao, Davao Region may experience localized thunderstorms
Outside Misamis Occidental, most of Northern Mindanao is expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Bukidnon may record temperatures of 19 to 33 degrees Celsius during the day and 20 to 31 degrees Celsius at night. Camiguin is forecast to experience temperatures of 25 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 32 degrees Celsius overnight.
Lanao del Norte may have temperatures ranging from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 29 degrees Celsius at night. Misamis Oriental is expected to record temperatures of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 30 degrees Celsius overnight.
Misamis Occidental, however, is forecast to experience cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 30 degrees Celsius at night.
In the Davao Region, Metro Davao, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro and Davao Occidental may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Daytime temperatures are forecast to reach 32 to 34 degrees Celsius in several areas, while nighttime temperatures are expected to fall to between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius, depending on the locality.
Although widespread rain is not forecast across the entire region, localized thunderstorms may still produce intense rainfall over specific communities. Residents are advised to monitor changing weather conditions, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga also under thunderstorm watch
Across SOCCSKSARGEN, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani are expected to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
North Cotabato may record temperatures of 24 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 to 32 degrees Celsius at night. South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat are forecast to experience daytime temperatures of 23 to 34 degrees Celsius, while Sarangani may have temperatures ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Nighttime temperatures in these provinces are expected to range from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius.
In Caraga, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur and the Dinagat Islands are also forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Agusan del Norte may record temperatures of 24 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day and 25 to 34 degrees Celsius at night. Agusan del Sur is forecast to experience temperatures of 23 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 24 to 32 degrees Celsius overnight.
Surigao del Norte may reach 34 degrees Celsius during the day, while Surigao del Sur may record temperatures of 25 to 34 degrees Celsius. The Dinagat Islands are forecast to experience temperatures of 26 to 35 degrees Celsius during the day.
PAGASA warned that severe thunderstorms could trigger flash floods or landslides even in areas where rain showers are expected to be isolated.
BARMM areas face varying weather conditions
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are among the areas expected to experience cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms.
Basilan may record temperatures of 25 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 33 degrees Celsius at night. Sulu is forecast to experience temperatures of 25 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 30 degrees Celsius overnight, while Tawi-Tawi may record temperatures of 26 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day and 26 to 30 degrees Celsius at night.
Meanwhile, Cotabato City, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Maguindanao del Sur are forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Cotabato City may record temperatures of 23 to 34 degrees Celsius during the day and 24 to 33 degrees Celsius at night. Lanao del Sur is expected to have cooler conditions, with temperatures ranging from 19 to 31 degrees Celsius during the day and 20 to 29 degrees Celsius overnight.
Maguindanao del Norte may experience temperatures of 23 to 33 degrees Celsius during the day, while Maguindanao del Sur is forecast to reach 34 degrees Celsius. Nighttime temperatures in both provinces are expected to fall to between 24 and 32 degrees Celsius.
Despite the generally localized nature of the forecast rainfall in much of BARMM, severe thunderstorms could still pose risks to communities exposed to flooding and landslides.
Northeast winds, slight to moderate seas expected
PAGASA said light to moderate winds from the northeast will prevail across Mindanao, with coastal waters expected to have slight to moderate seas ranging from 0.6 to 2.1 meters.
The forecast indicates generally manageable sea conditions, although local weather conditions may deteriorate during thunderstorms. Fisherfolk, boat operators and other people traveling by sea should remain attentive to weather updates and exercise caution when conditions become unfavorable.
Residents urged to take precautions
With rain showers and thunderstorms expected across much of Mindanao, residents are advised to remain vigilant, particularly in flood-prone communities, landslide-susceptible areas and locations near rivers and waterways.
People should avoid crossing flooded roads and swollen rivers, monitor water levels during prolonged or intense rainfall, and follow evacuation instructions from local authorities when necessary. Residents in mountainous and sloping areas should watch for warning signs of landslides, including ground cracks, unusual water seepage and sudden changes in slope conditions.
Motorists should also exercise caution on wet roads and during periods of reduced visibility, while outdoor activities should be suspended when thunderstorms develop nearby.
PAGASA’s Mindanao regional forecast was issued at 5 a.m. on October 26 and remains valid until 5 a.m. on October 27. Residents are encouraged to monitor official weather bulletins for updates as local conditions may change throughout the day.
Source: PAGASA Mindanao Regional Services Division (MINPRSD).