LPA seen to develop into cyclone this week

MANILA, Philippines — More rains are expected in many parts of the country, including Metro Manila, in the next two days due to a low-pressure area off Casiguran, Aurora that was forecast to develop into a tropical cyclone.

State weathermen and water administrators are hoping the rains will fall on Angat Dam in Bulacan, which breached the 160-meter critical level over the weekend.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the weather system was located 610 kilometers east of Casiguran, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The low-pressure area was expected to intensify into a tropical depression and will be named Dodong.

The southwest monsoon, which was enhanced by the weather disturbance, will continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the Visayas, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Bicol region, Zamboanga peninsula, Zambales, Bataan and Aurora. 

The heavy rains, which flooded several parts of Metro Manila on Sunday night, were not enough to increase the water level in Angat, one of the main sources of water of the region.

Weather forecasters said at least two cyclones are needed to reach the normal operating level of Angat at 180 meters.

PAGASA hydrologist Elmer Caringal said light rains were experienced at the Angat watershed on Sunday.

Caringal said more than 600 millimeters of rainfall are needed to bring back Angat’s water level to its normal operating level.

On June 22, the National Water Resources Board reduced allocation from 40 cubic meters per second to 36 CMS for Metro Manila and nearby areas.