By Arabella Balderama

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) bulletin, Typhoon Hanna (international name: Haikui) left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Furthermore, the state weather bureau explained that Hanna would still enhance the southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat.”

Due to this, rain showers and windy conditions are expected in different parts of the Philippines, specifically Western Luzon, until Wednesday, September 6.

Hanna’s erratic movement off to the terrains of Taiwan may weaken it into a severe tropical storm, as stated by PAGASA.

In its 4:00 P.M. advisory, PAGASA said that the center of Typhoon Hanna was last spotted at 245 kilometers (km) North Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes (22.9°N, 121.2°E), with maximum sustained winds of 155 km per hour and gustiness of up to 255 km per hour.

After leaving PAR, Hanna could make a landfall in Guangdong or Fujian in China on Tuesday, September 5, as it lessens strength and becomes “remnant low.”

Over the past days, various class suspensions were implemented in some areas of the country due to the inclement weather brought about by Hanna and the southwest monsoon.

Meanwhile, the new tropical depression “Ineng” is being monitored by PAGASA as it continues to move northeastward towards Japan. 

Even though it is “not directly affecting the country”, PAGASA said Ineng would bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Luzon in the next three days.

Over 400,000 affected

On Sunday, September 3, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported two deaths and over 400,000 affected individuals due to the cyclones Goring and Hanna, alongside the southwest monsoon.

Their combined effects impacted around 418,000 people from eight distinct regions, with 57,072 forced to flee their homes.

Moreover, the three weather disturbances wreaked havoc in the agricultural sector, striking crops and infrastructures of 10,196 farmers and fisherfolk.

As said by the NDRRMC, the damages amounted to at least PHP 421.19 million, to which the government responded with PHP 20.9 million in assistance.

Super Typhoon Goring left the PAR on the evening of Wednesday, August 30, preceding Typhoon Hanna’s entry shortly after.

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