A shear line interacting with the Northeast Monsoon (amihan) is unleashing persistent heavy rains across Eastern Visayas, Bicol, and Quezon, triggering flash floods and landslides that have forced local governments in Biliran, Camarines Sur, and Leyte to suspend classes for Monday, January 5. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued multiple thunderstorm advisories and warnings as hazardous weather conditions continue to threaten vulnerable low-lying and mountainous communities.
Shear Line and Amihan Combine to Fuel Hazardous Weather
PAGASA’s latest forecasts confirm that a shear line—a narrow zone of wind shifts in the atmosphere—is interacting with the northeasterly amihan winds to produce widespread scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over the Visayas, Bicol Region, and parts of Luzon. The meteorological disturbance is expected to persist through January 9, maintaining the risk of flash floods and landslides especially in flood-prone and elevated barangays.
Early Monday, moderate to heavy rainshowers were reported across affected provinces, accompanied by strong northeast and east winds causing rough seas with waves ranging from 1.0 to 2.8 meters. These conditions prompted PAGASA to issue Thunderstorm Advisories #1 to #5 for vulnerable areas including Capiz, Aklan, Negros Occidental, and Palawan, as well as gale warnings for Aurora, Quezon, Catanduanes, Albay, and Samar.
Class Suspensions Reflect Seriousness of Weather Risks
In response to the deteriorating conditions, local government units in Biliran, Camarines Sur, and Leyte have declared class suspensions for January 5 to safeguard students and school personnel amidst inclement weather and dangerous travel conditions. These precautionary measures align with Department of Education guidelines empowering LGUs to respond swiftly in potentially life-threatening situations.
Residents are strongly advised to remain vigilant as flooding and landslides have already begun to affect several rural communities. Particularly at risk are low-lying roads where jeepneys and tricycles face stranding, while mountainous barangays confront heightened landslide threats that could disrupt agricultural activities and local markets.
Wider Weather Impact Across Visayas, Bicol, and Parts of Luzon
The shear line’s scope covers a broad swath of the central Philippines. Besides the core areas under advisories, neighboring provinces within Eastern Samar, Quezon uplands, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and parts of MIMAROPA also face intermittent rains and rising vulnerability of flood and landslide incidents.
The Northeast Monsoon continues to push cooler, drier air across the northern and central parts of Luzon, including the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley, leading to cloudy skies with occasional light rains. In contrast, scattered showers affect parts of Mindanao due to easterly wind influences, though with less intensity compared to Visayas and Luzon’s eastern seaboard.
Storm Warnings Urge Prudence Among Coastal and Rural Communities
Fishing communities in Catanduanes, Albay, and Samar are under advisories to avoid venturing into rough coastal waters, where waves up to nearly three meters pose significant hazards. The grounding of municipal fishing boats is impacting income for many coastal households, forcing reliance on more expensive market-bought seafood.
Meanwhile, supply chain disruptions loom as disrupted commutes and damaged infrastructure threaten timely harvests of copra and palay, potentially inflating prices of essential food items by 10 to 20 percent in rural markets already under strain.
PAGASA Emphasizes Vigilance but Assures No Tropical Cyclone
Officials from PAGASA reinforce that no tropical cyclone is currently developing in Philippine vicinity. Nonetheless, the shear line and amihan interplay present serious localized weather hazards requiring constant monitoring and community preparedness.
“Residents in these areas are advised to remain alert for possible flash floods or landslides, especially during periods of moderate to heavy rainfall,” PAGASA stated in a January 5 weather outlook. The agency continues to issue regular updates and advisories to help mitigate risks.
Outlook: Heavy Rains to Persist Through Early Next Week
Forecasts indicate that the shear line will remain a dominant weather feature over the Visayas, Bicol, and MIMAROPA regions through January 9, sustaining the threat of intense showers and thunderstorms. Simultaneously, amihan will continue bringing cooler rains to northern and eastern Luzon.
As the country braces for several more days of wet weather, disaster risk management teams in LGUs are on heightened alert, coordinating closely with PAGASA to protect lives and minimize disruptions during this extended weather event.
With hazardous conditions expected to persist, residents are urged to heed official advisories, avoid flood- and landslide-prone areas, and prioritize safety until clearer skies return.
