PAGASA Dismisses Talk of 'Super Typhoon Maria' as False

There is no truth to reports that a "Super Typhoon Maria" will hit the Philippines, PAGASA said in a rare dismissal of misinformation online as millions in Luzon braced for a second week of Habagat rains.

The state weather bureau is currently monitoring two storms, both outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, Typhoon Fabian (In-fa) and Tropical Storm Nepartak. Fabian stirred monsoon rains last week that killed at least four people.

"Doon sa kumakalat na balita na meron pa tayong isang supertyphoon na dadating, 'yan po ay walang katotohanan at sa susunod na dalawa hanggang tatlong araw ay wala tayong anumang sama ng panahon na nakikitang makakaapekto sa Philippine area of responsibility subalit patuloy pa rin na maapektuhan tayo ng southwest monsoon o ating habagat," PAGASA forecaster Meno Mendoza said.

The southwest monsoon or habagat will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains in the next 24 hours over Metro Manila, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, and Batangas, PAGASA said.

The next five days will also be rainy, it said.

There is no "Maria" in PAGASA's list of storm names for 2021. After Fabian, the next four will be named Gorio, Huaning, Isang and Jolina.