Possible first tropical cyclone in 2019 enters Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A brewing storm has entered the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday morning, the state weather bureau said, adding that the weather disturbance might become the first tropical depression to hit the country in 2019.

READ: Usman-like storm brewing off Mindanao

In a 12 p.m. advisory, weather forecasters said the low pressure area entered PAR at 10 a.m. Saturday, although it has no direct effect on any part of the country “at the moment.”

The LPA was spotted 860 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 10 a.m. and was forecast to develop into a tropical depression in the next 36 hours.

Provinces in Eastern Visayas-Caraga area — which may experience possible disruption of maritime travel — may be placed under tropical cyclone warning signal 1 should the LPA become a tropical depression.

Beginning late afternoon or evening until midnight of Saturday, moderate to heavy rains will prevail over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.

On Sunday, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Bicol Region, Southern Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon will experience moderate to heavy rains.

Meanwhile, residents in Bicol Region, Visayas, Southern Quezon, Marinduque and Romblon should expect moderate to heavy rains on Monday.

“Residents of the aforementioned areas, especially those living in areas at high risk of flooding and landslides are advised to continue monitoring for updates, take precautionary measures and coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices,” the state weather bureau said. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral