The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned of possible floods and landslides over Eastern Visayas and Caraga regions due to moderate to occasional heavy rains from a new low pressure area (LPA) embedded along the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).
PAGASA estimated the location of the LPA at 575 kilometers (km) east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar before Thursday noon.
The LPA embedded along the ITCZ started to bring moderate to occasional heavy rains and thunderstorms over Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, Southern Leyte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur yesterday.
According to weather forecaster Jun Galang, the LPA could intensify into a tropical depression within the next two to three days. Should it become a tropical cyclone, it will be given a local name of “Carina,” the third tropical cyclone inside the country’s area of responsibility this year.
This Friday, cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Palawan, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao province.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
Galang said that should the LPA maintain its strength, the eastern section of Luzon, which includes Bicol Region, Aurora, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan may also experience moderate rains becoming occasionally heavy once it intensifies into a tropical depression by weekend.
Likewise, by weekend, the western section of the country, particularly, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, including Metro Manila may experience light to moderate rains due to the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat. (Ellalyn B. de Vera)
