THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday, August 22, 2022, that Luzon and Visayas will experience rainy weather due to Tropical Depression Florita.As of 4 a.m. Monday, Florita was spotted 310 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.Florita was moving west southwest at 20 kph.Pagasa weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio said while Florita is moving toward northern Luzon, it is also enhancing the southwest monsoon, which affects the southern Luzon and the Visayas.“Kaya ngayong araw, Luzon at Visayas makakaasa po ng maulan na panahon dulot ng habagat at itong paparating na si Bagyong Florita,” he said.The weather bureau raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 1 in the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and the northern portion of Aurora, including Dilasag Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dipaculao.It said that light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes and Aurora.From Monday night to Tuesday, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains are possible over Cagayan, Isabela, Batanes, Cordillera and Ilocos Region, while moderate to heavy rains over the northern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan and the rest of Cagayan Valley, and light to moderate with at times heavy rains over the rest of Central Luzon, Pagasa said.It added that gustiness reaching strong breeze to near gale strength may be experienced especially in the coastal and mountainous areas over the Bicol Region, Batangas, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Northern Samar, Antique and Aklan.Aurelio said these may cause flooding especially in low-lying areas and rain-induced landslides.The agency warned of moderate to rough seas over the eastern and northern seaboards of Luzon that may be risky for those using small seacrafts.Florita, which may develop into a tropical storm, is expected to make landfall in the east coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Tuesday afternoon, August 23.It is expected to make its second landfall within the Babuyan Islands Tuesday evening or Wednesday dawn before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility through the West Philippine Sea, Pagasa said.Aurelio said the strength of Florita may increase up to 95 kph near the center. (SunStar Philippines)