2 low pressure areas spotted; one off Mindanao seen to become depression

MANILA, Philippines—Two low pressure areas (LPA) were spotted flanking the Philippines off Mindanao and Mindoro on Sunday, as the active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) continued to bring rains over the archipelago, the weather bureau said.

Aldczar Aurelio, a forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said one low pressure area was seen over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) some 220 kilometers west- northwest of Calapan, as of Sunday morning.

Another LPA was seen 780 kilometers east of Mindanao as of Sunday, gathering strength over the Pacific Ocean. Aurelio said this Pacific LPA would likely develop into a tropical depression, possibly within the coming week.

Both LPAs have been spurred by the ITCZ, said PAGASA, as the weather system has been affecting southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

“These weather systems are likely to bring widespread rains over Palawan and Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” said PAGASA.