Brace for heavy rain due to LPA, monsoon

MANILA, Philippines — A low-pressure area (LPA) east of Eastern Samar and the southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains over large parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

The LPA was last spotted 675 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. The weather system is enhancing the southwest monsoon, which is affecting the western sections of Southern Luzon and Visayas as well as Northern Mindanao.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Quezon and Rizal due to the LPA. PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Zamboanga Peninsula, Camiguin, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, the rest of Visayas, Central Luzon and Calabarzon will also have scattered rains and thunderstorms from the southwest monsoon. Similar hazards of flooding and landslides are possible.

The rest of Northern Mindanao and Caraga will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, while the rest of the country may see localized thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate winds are expected over the western section of Luzon, with coastal waters ranging from 1.2 to 1.5 meters. Winds will be light to moderate over the rest of the country with slight to moderate seas.

PAGASA advised the public and local disaster officials to remain alert for possible floods, flash floods and landslides, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.