Flashflood, landslide warning up in N. Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau warned yesterday residents of extreme northern Luzon against possible flashfloods and landslides as the low-pressure area (LPA) off Cagayan will continue to dump heavy rains over the area in the next 24 hours.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the low-pressure area was estimated at 40 kilometers northeast of Calayan Island, Cagayan at 4 p.m.

“This weather system will bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains over the Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan group of islands which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” PAGASA said in an advisory.

PAGASA weather forecaster Jun Galang said the low-pressure area could still intensify into a tropical cyclone.

If the low-pressure area becomes a cyclone, it will be codenamed “Kiko.”

PAGASA said two or three cyclones are expected to enter the country this month.

Meanwhile, the agency said the southwest monsoon was affecting the western section of Luzon.

It said central Luzon and the provinces of Quezon, Pangasinan, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela and Batanes group of islands will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides in the next 24 hours.