Typhoon Saudel to enter Philippine area, may enhance monsoon

Typhoon Saudel is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, August 24, where it could intensify into a super typhoon and enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing heavy rains to parts of the country, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has placed its disaster response teams on blue alert in preparation.

As of Sunday, August 23, Saudel was located approximately 2,245 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour. The typhoon carried maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour with gusts up to 215 kilometers per hour. PAGASA forecasters said there is a high probability Saudel will enter the northeastern boundary of the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday and could strengthen into a super typhoon before doing so. Once inside the Philippine monitoring zone, the storm will be assigned the local name Obet.

While Saudel is not expected to make direct landfall, its primary impact will be the enhancement of the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat. PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina stated that the storm is likely to strengthen the monsoon...