Fair weather seen this weekend

CEBU, Philippines — Devotees of the Señor Sto. Niño can expect fair weather during the fluvial procession and the Sinulog Grand Parade this weekend.

Despite heavy downpour yesterday, the state weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said its latest forecast models indicate an improved weather conditions starting today until Sunday.

Engineer Al Quiblat, PAGASA-Mactan chief, said fair weather is expected to greet the fluvial procession this Saturday, January 20.

He said a wind speed of 20 to 30 kilometers per hour with a wave height of 0.75 meters to 1.25 meters is expected on Saturday.

"So, inig Sabado, mubo ra ang balud," he said.

In a weather forecast issued 4 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA said the trough of the low pressure area spotted 300 kilometers southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur has dissipated yesterday.

But a new LPA was sighted 2,320 kilometers east of Mindanao, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The weather disturbance is not likely to intensify into a tropical cyclone but the trough of the LPA will bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Caraga, Visayas, provinces of Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, Palawan, and the rest of Mindanao.

Quiblat said Metro Cebu and the rest of the province will also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers today until Thursday.

Due to the continuous downpour affecting Cebu, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has advised all barangay disaster teams and public schools to take precautionary measures against possible landslides and flashfloods.

"I-activate ang ilahang disaster risk reduction plan sa mga eskwelahan, especially sa low-lying areas, para sa flooding and landslides as advised by PAGASA," CCDRRMO chief Nagiel Bañacia said.

State weather bureau PAGASA issued yesterday a yellow alert, or heavy rainfall warning, over northern portions of Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Bohol.

Bañacia said school principals have the prerogative to suspend classes, for instance, in the event of flooding (even without a storm signal).

For emergency situations, he said, the public can reach the city’s Command Control Center through these numbers: 0947 1780000, 09471789999, and 0923 5248222. (FREEMAN)