Monsoon rains will continue to affect large parts of Luzon and some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao until Friday due to enhanced southwest monsoon and two low pressure areas (LPAs), according to the state weather bureau.

Engineer Christopher Perez, Chief of the Weather Forecasting Section of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Tuesday that two LPAs inside the Philippine area of responsibility are enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat, which has brought widespread rains over recent days.

“Patuloy po tayong nagmo-monitor, hindi lamang sa habagat kundi maging sa dalawang low pressure na may potential ngang maging bagyo this week,” Perez said in a public briefing.

One of the LPAs is located 225 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes, while the other is 1,140 kilometers east of Central Luzon. Another LPA outside the Philippine area of responsibility was also being monitored, located 2,850 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas.

Perez said the LPA farther from the country has a higher chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within 24 hours. “Ito pong mas malayo ay mas mataas ang potential na maging bagyo within the 24-hour period.”

As of Tuesday morning, PAGASA raised an orange rainfall warning over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal. Yellow rainfall warnings were hoisted in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Laguna.

“When we have orange rainfall warning, ibig sabihin nariyan pa rin iyong banta ng pagbaha… may mga bahagi ng kalsada pa rin po tayo, hindi lamang sa Metro Manila kundi maging sa karatig-lalawigan, na binabaha pa rin,” Perez said.

Localized heavy rains were also reported in Northern Luzon, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, and several provinces in Western Visayas including Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.

Based on forecast rainfall maps, rains may persist until Friday, mostly over the western section of Luzon. From Thursday noon to Friday noon, “nandiyan pa rin iyong significant amount of rain sa western section nga ng Luzon at ilang bahagi ng Western Visayas.”

PAGASA reminded residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to remain alert, especially those living near mountainsides where continuous rain may have already loosened soil.

“Bagama’t wala na tayong bagyo, nandiyan pa rin iyong pinag-ibayong habagat at iyong dalawang low pressure, posibleng maging bagyo na siyang magpapaibayo pa muli ng habagat sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong araw,” Perez added.

Meanwhile, monitoring of water reservoirs showed a rise in water levels at Angat Dam and several other facilities, although no spill gates were opened. Slight drops were recorded in Ipo, Ambuklao, and Binga Dams.

PAGASA may release a tropical cyclone bulletin as early as Tuesday afternoon or evening should the LPAs develop into tropical depressions.