New LPA to bring heavy rains

MANILA, Philippines - A low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao is expected to bring heavy rains over some parts of the country today that may trigger flashfloods and landslides, the state weather bureau warned.

Robert Sawi, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s weather division, yesterday said the LPA was not expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the LPA was spotted at 430 kilometers east of Mindanao and is imbedded along the intertropical convergence zone.

“The LPA will remain as LPA while it crosses the Visayas-Mindanao area tonight (last night),” Sawi said.

Sawi, however, said the weather disturbance would bring heavy rains over southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao today, warning residents of Leyte, Negros and Bicol provinces against possible flashfloods and landslides.

“The LPA will cross Palawan tomorrow (Tuesday) and may develop into a tropical depression over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday or Thursday,” Sawi said.

PAGASA said the LPA would be locally named “Wilma” once it intensifies into a cyclone.

The Japan Meteorological Agency, however, has already upgraded the LPA into a tropical depression as of yesterday noon.

Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have good weather aside from passing rains this week.

A total of 22 cyclones have entered the country so far this year.