Low pressure area forms near Samar

Manila — More rains are seen in the country in the next few days as a low pressure area that formed near Eastern Visayas was expected to become the fourth tropical cyclone for the country this year, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said an active low pressure area was seen 930 kilometers east of Borongan, Samar yesterday.

Another low pressure area that was monitored near south Luzon has dissipated, according to the agency.

Samuel Duran, a Pagasa forecaster, said there was a “high probability” that the disturbance near Samar could strengthen into a tropical cyclone.

If it becomes one, it will be named “Dindo,” he said.

So far, models indicated that the potential cyclone’s eye would not make landfall in the Philippines, just like the three previous storms this year. Duran said models forecast that the cyclone’s outer band would skim the extreme northern Luzon.

Pagasa said the low pressure areas have intensified the southwest monsoon over the Philippines. Duran said the system off Samar would generate downpours and overcast skies in eastern Luzon and Visayas. /INQUIRER