LPA off Mindanao intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — A low-pressure area monitored outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) has intensified into a tropical depression, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said the tropical depression was spotted at around 2,440 kilometers east of Mindanao.

The weather disturbance is moving west-northwest at 15 kms per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of 70 kph. It may enter the PAR by Monday.

“We see the possibility that it will bring rains over the Visayas and some areas of Southern Luzon,” Castañeda said.

Another low-pressure area was spotted 180 kms east-northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Norte as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

PAGASA said the weather system and the intertropical convergence zone would affect Bicol, Mimaropa, Quezon as well as parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The weather bureau said these areas may experience flashfloods or landslides during moderate to heavy rain.

Thousands flee homes

In Davao region, thousands of residents fled their homes due to flooding amid heavy rains due to the low-pressure area.

Some roads were rendered impassable in Compostela, Mawab, Montevista, Pantukan, New Bataan, Monkayo and Nabunturan in Davao de Oro because of flooding and landslides.

Preemptive evacuation of families near riverbanks in Davao City was initiated after heavy rains caused the Davao River to overflow.

Meanwhile, rains in the past few days increased the water level in Bustos Dam.

With Bustos not requesting irrigation allocation for rice fields in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga, the water level in Angat rose to 3.59 meters yesterday.