Pagasa keeping track of LPA east of Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is currently monitoring a low-pressure area (LPA) located inside the Philippine area of responsibility and east of Mindanao.

As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the LPA was located 230 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. It is expected to move westward, closer to the Visayas, and may dissolve over the weekend, according to weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio.

But the LPA, which has an “unlikely” chance of developing into a tropical depression, will bring rains over the Visayas and some parts of Mindanao, he said.

“Due to the low pressure area, skies are cloudy, [and] there are scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over the entire Visayas, Caraga, and northern Mindanao [for Friday],” he added.

He urged people to “remain cautious and alert, as rains could cause floods and landslides.”