LPA spotted off Surigao

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau warned yesterday residents in the Visayas and Mindanao of possible flashfloods and landslides as a low-pressure area is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over the regions in the next few days.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the low-pressure area was spotted 350 kilometers east of Surigao City as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

“This weather system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains (five to 15 millimeters per hour) and thunderstorms in the Bicol region, the Visayas and Mindanao particularly over Eastern Visayas, CARAGA region, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Del Norte, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said the low-pressure area is embedded along the intertropical convergence zone affecting Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

“By late Tuesday, rainy weather will migrate northward over the Bicol region, the rest of Southern Luzon, Aurora, Cagayan, Isabel and the National Capital Region until Thursday,” the agency said.

The low-pressure area has a slim chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.

PAGASA earlier said about two to four more cyclones are likely to enter the country before the end of the year. A total of 15 cyclones have entered the Philippine area of responsibility so far this year.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to east would prevail over Luzon and Eastern Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.