Pagasa advisory: Rains to continue in parts of Mindanao, Luzon

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MANILA, Philippines—The state weather bureau has advised residents living in low-lying areas and mountainous slopes to be on alert for flash floods and landslides as scattered to widespread rains were expected to continue in parts of the country including northern Mindanao and the western parts of Northern and Central Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its latest advisory that as of 8 a.m., a shallow low pressure area was seen 210 kilometers east of northern Mindanao and a southwest monsoon was affecting Luzon.

A tropical storm threatening to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) was also seen 1,370 kilometers east of Mindanao or over the Caroline Islands with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour to 80 kph. It was moving westward at 15 kph.

Once it enters the PAR, the weather disturbance, which will be called Butchoy (international name Guchol), is expected to hit the country Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.—Frances Mangosing