PAGASA reports new LPA after 3-day lull

MANILA, Philippines — While the country continues to reel from the impacts of three recent storms, the state weather bureau is now monitoring a potential new weather disturbance just outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

In its 10 a.m. advisory on Thursday, July 31, PAGASA said it had spotted a low pressure area brewing some 1,020 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon as of 8 a.m.

The low pressure area remains outside the PAR with a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

This is the first possible storm reported since tropical cyclones Co-May (formerly Emong), Francisco (formerly Dante) and Krosa were last monitored three days ago. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the combined effects of the storms have affected over 7.6 million people across 71 provinces, displacing thousands. 

As of Thursday, more than 100,000 individuals remain in evacuation centers.

The agency also reported that 241 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity, allowing local governments to access their quick response funds for immediate rehabilitation and recovery efforts.

No active storms are bringing rain at the moment, but the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy downpours over parts of Northern Luzon. Should the low pressure area develop into a tropical depression and enter PAR, it will take the name "Fabian."