LPA to bring heavy rains over Visayas, Mindanao

MANILA -- A low pressure area (LPA) currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) will bring heavy rains over Visayas and Mindanao that would trigger possible flashfloods and landslides, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 4 a.m. the LPA was spotted at 180 kilometers (km) southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Sur but has a small chance to intensify into tropical cyclone.

In case the LPA intensifies into a tropical depression, it will be named "Dante,” the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the PAR this year.

Pagasa said the regions of Eastern and Central Visayas, Caraga, and Davao will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The Bicol region and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers.

The weather agency said that Luzon including Metro Manila will continue to experience generally good weather except for isolated thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon.

Pagasa added that moderate to strong winds from the east to northeast will prevail over the eastern section of Visayas and of Mindanao and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. (PNA/Sunnex)