PAGASA warns Cebu province of flooding, landslide

CEBU, Philippines — Residents of Cebu province are warned of possible flooding and landslide that may occur, as rains and thunderstorms are seen to be frequent until Tuesday.

Romeo Aguirre, weather specialist from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Lapu-Lapu City station, said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is affecting the Visayas region, including Cebu.

He said the ITCZ was first observed oscillating over the Visayas and Mindanao regions yesterday.

Aguirre said this rain-inducing weather system is predicted to dominate over Central Visayas and other regions until Tuesday.

By Wednesday, he said the influence of the ITCZ is forecasted to recede towards the Eastern Visayas.

He said an ITCZ creates an active development of thunderstorms.

This weather system is characterized by series of low pressure areas brought about by converging northeast and southeast winds.

That is why Cebu is seen to be mostly blanketed with gloomy skies, Aguirre said.

He added that sudden thunderstorms are likely to occur by late afternoon or evening – the period when its development is on mature stage.

Among the effects of thunderstorms are heavy rains, strong winds, and tornadoes.

Aguirre advised households and local officials to take precautionary measures during prolonged rains, as this might trigger flooding and landslide.

Torrential rains may cause the floodwaters to breach the river banks. Susceptible to flooding are areas near water channels and zones at low-lying grounds.

Meanwhile, successive rains penetrate the ground causing it to soften and possibly erode, especially in sloped areas. (FREEMAN)