LPA spotted off Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos can expect more rains next week due to a brewing cyclone east of Mindanao, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Jun Galang said a low-pressure area was spotted 1,430 kilometers east of Mindanao at 4 p.m. yesterday.

The low-pressure area, he said, is likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility and develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

The disturbance was moving westward slowly due to its interaction with the strong easterly wind, Galang said.

“We expect the eye wall to move closer to eastern Visayas and Bicol region by Monday or Tuesday,” he said in a phone interview.

Galang said the western section of the country, including Metro Manila, will experience light to moderate rains by Tuesday or Wednesday next week from the southwest monsoon, which is likely to be enhanced by the low-pressure area.

He said the rains may cause flooding in low-lying areas.

If the low-pressure area intensifies into a tropical cyclone, it will be given the local name Ambo.

Earlier in the day, PAGASA spotted another low-pressure area over the West Philippine Sea.

Galang said the low-pressure area moved farther away from the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday afternoon and was no longer expected to affect any part of the country.