Pagasa warns of flooding, landslides amid extensive rain in Bicol, Visayas, Mindanao

The state weather bureau says in its 4 a.m. bulletin that rain may persist in the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, amid the combined effects of a low pressure area and shear line. Weather satellite image from Pagasa’s website

MANILA, Philippines — Several areas are at risk of flooding and landslides amid persistent rainy weather in parts of the country due to the joint effects of the low-pressure area (LPA) and shear line, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the LPA was last located 295 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. Chances of the LPA developing into a tropical cyclone remain low for the next 24 hours but meteorologists have not yet discounted the possibility of its intensification.

“Dahil sa pinagsamang epekto ng shear line at low pressure area, inaasahan natin ang patuloy na pag-ulan, pagkidlat at pagkulog, sa may bahagi ng Bicol Region, gayundin sa malaking bahagi ng Visayas at sa bahagi ng Mindanao. Sa mga binanggit nating lugar, patuloy na pinag-iingat ang ating kababayan, lalong-lalo na sa banta ng pagbaha at pagguho ng lupa dahil may ilang araw na rin umuulan sa nabanggit nating lugar,” said Pagasa forecaster Patrick Del Mundo.

(Because of the combined effects of the shear line and low pressure area, we expect that the rain, lightning and thunder will continue in the Bicol Region, as well as a large portion of Visayas and Mindanao. In the aforementioned areas, we still urge our fellow countrymen to be cautious, especially against the threat of floods and landslides, since it has been raining in these areas for several days.)

The northeast monsoon (locally known as amihan), on the other hand, may bring cloudy skies with rain in Cagayan Valley, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro this Wednesday, according to Pagasa.

The same weather situation may also be anticipated in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, the state weather service added, although the northeast monsoon’s effect in these areas is seen to have “no significant impact.”

In a separate 5 a.m. weather advisory, Pagasa announced that it hoisted a gale warning over the eastern coast of Cagayan; Isabela; Aurora; Northern Quezon, including northern and eastern coasts of Polillo Islands; Camarines Norte; the northern coast of Camarines Sur; the northern and eastern coasts of Catanduanes; the eastern coast of Albay; the eastern coast of Sorsogon; Northern Samar; Eastern Samar; the eastern coast of Southern Leyte; Dinagat Islands; and the eastern coast of Surigao del Norte including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands.

The state weather bureau said the gale warning was raised over these seaboards due to the northeast monsoon.

Additionally, Pagasa released its forecast temperature ranges in key areas across the country this Wednesday:

• Metro Manila: 22 to 30 degrees Celsius
• Baguio City: 14 to 21 degrees Celsius
• Laoag City:  19 to 31 degrees Celsius
• Tuguegarao: 19 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Legazpi City: 24 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Puerto Princesa City: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius
• Tagaytay: 20 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Kalayaan Islands: 25 to 32 degrees Celsius
• Iloilo City: 24 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Cebu: 24 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Tacloban City: 23 to 27 degrees Celsius
• Cagayan De Oro City: 23 to 28 degrees Celsius
• Zamboanga City: 24 to 31 degrees Celsius
• Davao City: 25 to 29 degrees Celsius

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