LPA brings rains over Mindanao, Visayas

MANILA -– Flashfloods and landslides threaten the area of Mindanao and Visayas due to rains brought by a low pressure area (LPA), the state weather bureau said Thursday.

In their 5 a.m. weather bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), said that as of 2 a.m., the LPA was estimated at the vicinity of Sta. Josefa, Agusan del Sur.

This weather disturbance is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains and thunderstorms in Mindanao and the provinces of Samar and Leyte which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Residents in these areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures, the bulletin added.

Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the LPA made landfall in Davao Oriental around 12 midnight and is expected to bring rains over Mindanao and Visayas.

“Around 12 midnight nag-landfall yung LPA pero hindi ito humina o lumakas ang maganda maintained pa rin ang pagiging LPA at inaaasahan lumabas ito ng Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) bukas (Friday) ng hapon towards Vietnam,” Aurelio explained.

He said the LPA has a slim chance of turning into a tropical cyclone as the agency continues to monitor it.

Aurelio added the northeast monsoon or “hanging amihan” will continue to bring partly cloudy to cloudy skies with occasional light rains over Northern Luzon.

Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and Bicol Region will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms while Cagayan Valley and the province of Aurora will experience cloudy skies with light rains. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Pagasa also issued a gale warning as strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon, Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao.

"Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," Pagasa said. (PNA/Sunnex)