PAGASA warns Bicol, Visayas residents of approaching LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau warned residents of Bicol and Visayas yesterday against possible floods and landslides due to a low-pressure area, which was forecast to enter the country within the next 24 hours.

The low-pressure area was spotted at 1,500 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 4 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

The weather system is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over the Bicol region and the Visayas in the next two to three days, according to PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja.

However, it has a slim chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone based on the latest PAGASA forecast, Estareja said.

The tail-end of a frontal system, meanwhile, continued to bring rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, eastern portion of Central Luzon, Bataan and Camarines Norte yesterday.

The northeast monsoon also brought rains over the rest of Northern and Central Luzon.

Estareja said one to two cyclones are likely to enter the Philippines in December.

Cyclones that enter the country in December have a “high chance of landfall” especially over Southern Luzon, Visayas and northeastern Mindanao, with intensities ranging from tropical depression to typhoon, he said.