The southwest monsoon will continue to affect Luzon, bringing occasional rains over the western section of Luzon which can trigger flashfloods and landslides, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said today.

Scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms are  expected in the western section of Visayas and Mindanao.  The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the Southwest will prevail over the whole archipelago. Coastal waters will be moderate to rough today.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said eight died while 2 were injured and 63 persons remain missing due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon and the shallow Low Pressure Area (SLPA).

Of the reported dead, 5 were from the M/V Jolline II sinking off El Nido, Palawan, and 1 each from the flashfloods in Sarangani, Gen. Santos City, and Davao City. At least 3,462 families have been affected by the weather condition.

Pagasa said tropical storm ‘Butchoy’ (international name Guchol) is expected to enter the country this afternoon or by Friday (June 15). The typhoon is estimated at 1,110kms east of Northern Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 85kph near its center and gustiness of up to 100kmh.

Butchoy is currently moving west northwest at a speed of 20kph and will be the 2nd typhoon to enter PAR this year.