Pagasa spots 2 LPAs

MANILA, Philippines - Two low-pressure areas (LPAs) were spotted east of the country yesterday, with one of them expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 36 hours, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical
Services Administration (PAGASA) said one of the LPAs was spotted 220 kilometers east-northeast of Surigao City at 10 a.m.

It was forecast to bring cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, particularly in Eastern and Northern Samar in the next 24 hours.

PAGASA warned residents in these areas against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The weather bureau said the seaboards of Eastern and Central Visayas would be moderate to occasionally rough.

The other LPA was forecast to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) today. It was estimated at 1,220 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 4 p.m. yesterday.

“This disturbance may develop into a tropical cyclone and expected to enter PAR within the next 24 to 36 hours,” the weather bureau said.

The next tropical cyclone will be named “Ester.” It is expected to bring rains over Eastern Visayas and Bicol region in the next 48 hours.

PAGASA said a potential cyclone could make landfall over Bicol or Samar by Wednesday.

The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will be sunny to partly cloudy until tomorrow except for possible rains in the afternoon or evening due to localized thunderstorms.