Cyclone threatens Southern Tagalog, Visayas and Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Southern Tagalog, the Visayas and Mindanao have been warned against possible floods and landslides as rains spawned by a brewing cyclone will continue to affect these areas in the next few days.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the weather system was spotted 215 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.

It was forecast to develop into a tropical depression tomorrow or the next day, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather disturbance was expected to bring heavy rains as it crosses between Southern Tagalog and Northern Visayas today, weather forecaster Ariel Rojas said.

It was projected to be over the West Philippine Sea by tomorrow, where it is likely to intensify into a tropical depression.

The weather disturbance was forecast to move west toward Vietnam, Rojas said, adding the low-pressure area will continue to bring rains over most parts of the country today and tomorrow.

Scattered rains and thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila until Friday.

Angat’s water drops further

Meanwhile, moderate to heavy downpours in the past few days failed to improve the water level in Angat Dam.

Data from the provincial government of Bulacan showed that Angat’s water dropped to 176.61 meters as of 8 a.m. yesterday from 177.17 meters the previous day.

The water level is 3.39 meters below Angat’s minimum operating level of 180 meters, and 35.39 meters below its normal high level.

Angat is the main source of Metro Manila’s potable water.

As a protocol, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) suspends allocation for irrigation when Angat’s water elevation falls below 180 meter to prioritize domestic use.

Earlier, NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said water allocation for Metro Manila and irrigation supply will remain at  46 cubic per second and 30 cms, respectively, for this month.  – Ramon Efren Lazaro