Cyclone outside PAR weakens into LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The tropical cyclone outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather disturbance was downgraded into an LPA at 8 p.m. on Saturday, PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said.

“It (LPA) will have no direct effect in any parts of the country. The easterlies or warm wind from the Pacific Ocean continue to affect the eastern portion of southern Visayas and Mindanao,” Castañeda said.

Castañeda added that many areas in the country will experience humid weather.

“We will experience isolated rains especially in the western part of Mindanao due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms,” she said.

“Extreme Northern Luzon and other portions of Northern Luzon will have high chances of rain because of the LPA once it reaches Taiwan. The frontal system will also bring rains in these areas,” she added.

Based on the outlook of the weather state bureau from June 5 to 7, the southwest monsoon is expected to bring mostly cloudy skies with scattered rains and isolated thunderstorms over the western section of Luzon.

PAGASA has said that one to two tropical cyclones may develop within PAR in June.

Danger heat index

At least 44 areas in the country are forecast to experience “danger” heat index of 42 to 48 degrees Celsius today even as PAGASA has already declared the onset of rainy season.

Based on the two-day forecast of the state weather bureau, the heat index in Aparri, Cagayan could reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius today while 46 degrees Celsius heat index can be felt in Echague, Isabela; Tacloban City, Leyte; Zamboanga City; Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

The state weather bureau added that 45 degrees Celsius heat index is expected in Bacnotan, La Union; Calayan, Cagayan; Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Baler and Casiguran, Aurora; Daet, Camarines Sur; Masbate City, Masbate; and Guian, Eastern Samar.

On Saturday, at least 50 areas registered heat index of 42 to 47 degrees Celsius with the highest heat index recorded in Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

Meanwhile, the water level of Angat Dam dropped by 0.21 meters after it reached 179.07 meters compared to its previous level of 179.28 meters. It was 30.93 meters below its normal high water level and .93 meters below its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Manila Water Works and Sewerage and System said the National Water Resources Board has approved at least 51 cubic meters per second water allocation for Metro Manila from June 1 to 15.

Angat Dam supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs and provides for the irrigation needs of 25,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.