New storm brewing, says Pagasa

MANILA (Updated) -- A tropical disturbance will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring occasional rains over Luzon and may trigger flashfloods and landslides, the weather bureau warned.

An 11 a.m. Sunday advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) stated that the center of Tropical Depression "Goring" was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 460 kilometers north northeast of Basco, Batanes.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and was forecast to move west northwestward at 10 kph.

"We can only expect good weather in Luzon after next week. Also, there's a possibility that a new tropical cyclone will form in the Pacific although it might not hit land," Pagasa acting weather division chief Robert Sawi told Sun.Star on Saturday.

Another low pressure area has likewise developed some 420 kilometers east of Mindanao, as Pagasa cautioned residents of widespread rains over the eastern Mindanao that may cause flashfloods and landslides.

Also on Saturday, Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul said its Doppler radar stations in Baguio City and Subic have monitored light to moderate rainfall (one-four millimeters per hour) in western Luzon, particularly in Metro Manila.

An isolated yet heavy downpour (10 millimeters per hour) was recorded in Zambales and Pampanga, which both experienced flooding due to Tropical Storm "Falcon" (international name Meari) in late June.

Provinces located in eastern Mindanao had experienced light to moderate rainshowers, Yumul said, citing data from Pagasa's Doppler radar station in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)