LPA enters PAR today

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday said the low-pressure area outside Mindanao is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility by today.

PAGASA weather forecaster Patrick del Mundo added that the low-pressure area outside the Philippine area of responsibility was located 1,270 kilometers east of northern Mindanao.

“As of now, there is still a low possibility that it will develop into a tropical cyclone in the next two days but it may enter the Philippine area of responsibility by tomorrow (Sunday),” Del Mundo said.

At the same time, Del Mundo said the low-pressure area located 115 kilometers west of Puerto Princesa, Palawan may develop into a tropical depression in the next two days.

“At present, we are monitoring two low-pressure areas which are both embedded with the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The ITCZ is the meeting of winds at the southern hemisphere where the clouds and rains are formed. We are not discounting that the low-pressure area located in Puerto Princesa, Palawan will develop into a tropical depression in the next two days as it moves westward at the West Philippine Sea,” Del Mundo added.

It will be named Tropical Depression Betty once the state bureau declares it as a cyclone.

Del Mundo added that the low-pressure area would bring rains in Palawan as he warned of possible landslides and floods.

“Flash floods or landslides are possible due to moderate, with at times, heavy rains,” the state agency said.

For the month of May, PAG-ASA expects at least two typhoons; in June, two typhoons and in July to September, two to three typhoons.

On the other hand, PAGASA reported that the heat index in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte reached 45 degrees Celsius on Friday.

Other areas with the highest heat index on May 5 include San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, with 44 degrees Celsius; Aparri, Cagayan, Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City, with 43 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, at 6 a.m. on Saturday, the water level of Angat Dam further dropped to 194.20 meters compared to the previous 194.30 meters or 0.10 meters less.

The current level of Angat Dam is 8.34 meters away from its rule curve elevation of 185.6 or the level of the dam to be able to fulfill its functions.