Pagasa eyes LPA east of Visayas

A low pressure area (LPA) near the eastern Visayas could turn into a storm in the next 24 to 48 hours, according to weather forecasters.

If this happens, it will be named “Gener,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa). In its bulletin yesterday, the agency warned residents of low-lying areas and mountain slopes in the eastern coast of possible flash floods and landslides.

Flash floods have forced over a thousand people out of their homes in Camiguin in northeastern Mindanao. Authorities in eastern Visayas advised fishermen not to go out to sea.

Based on satellite and surface data, the low pressure area was whirring 540 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, and gaining strength.

Another low pressure area was estimated at 370 kms east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, but this one was not expected to turn into a storm, Pagasa said.

Pagasa warned of widespread rains over the Bicol region and eastern parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

The rest of Luzon, including Metro Manila, will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms, the Pagasa bulletin added.

Heavy rains and flash floods in Camiguin have already sent about 1,250 people fleeing to evacuation centers. The affected areas were in the towns of Mahinog, Catarman and Sagay. The Alangilan Bridge in Sagay was reported impassable. With a report from Cai Panlilio, Inquirer Mindanao