1 more tropical cylone to enter RP

One more tropical cyclone is expected to enter the country before the end of the year, threatening the provinces in the northeastern Mindanao, Visayas and Bicol regions, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Director Prisco Nilo said at least one tropical cyclone usually enters the country in December.

So far, a total of 20 tropical cyclones have visited the Philippines this year.

In 2007, a total of 49 people were killed and over 180,000 families were affected with the onslaught of 13 tropical cyclones in the country.

Pagasa said a tail-end of a cold front continues to affect Luzon, bringing scattered rains particularly over the eastern section of southern Luzon that may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

The intertropical convergence zone, on the other hand, is affecting Mindanao.

Southern Mindanao would have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, Pagasa said.

The rest of the country would be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

Pagasa said moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast would prevail over Luzon and its coastal waters would be moderate to rough. – Helen Flores