Pagasa issues flood, landslide alert

Manila — A low pressure area off Eastern Visayas threatens to turn into a cyclone within 24 hours, prompting the state weather bureau to warn people living in low-lying areas or near mountain slopes of possible flash floods and landslides.

Based on satellite and surface data, the low pressure area was observed yesterday morning some 450 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, and would be called “Gener” if it gathered enough strength, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

“Residents living in low lying areas and along mountain slopes are advised to be on alert for possible occurrence of flash floods and landslides,” the weather bureau said in an advisory.

Another low pressure area was estimated at 530 kms east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, but this one was not expected to turn into a storm, Pagasa said.

Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, while there will be widespread rains over the Bicol region and eastern parts of Visayas and Mindanao, possibly triggering flash floods and landslides, it said.

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

“Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the rest of the country,” Pagasa said.

Coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough, it added. /INQUIRER