S. Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao residents alerted for possible flashfloods

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 5:30 P.M., 11 November 2012

MANILA, Philippines – The weather bureau alerted residents in Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao against possible flashfloods and landslides which may be triggered by rains spawned by a low pressure area (LPA) embedded in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that the LPA is anticipated to bring moderate to heavy rains (5 to 15 mm per hour) and thunderstorms in the areas particularly over the Eastern Visayas, the Caraga Region, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Del Norte.

Pagasa advised residents to take the necessary precautions.

Weather forecaster Connie Dadivas said that the LPA is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone since it is too close to land.

She said that the LPA would bring rains until today (Monday) over areas in Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. As of 4 p.m., the LPA was spotted, based on satellite and surface data, at 350 kilometers east of Surigao City.

In its 5 p.m. forecast the weather bureau expects Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, where the ITCZ remains in effect, to be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms. Light rains are anticipated over the Cagayan Valley region, Aurora Province and Metro Manila. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with isolated brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from northeast to east will prevail over Luzon and the Eastern Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast with slight to moderate seas.

Strong to gale force wind is expected to affect the northern seaboard of northern Luzon particularly in the Batanes, Calayan, and Babuyan group of islands as well as the northern coasts of Cagayan and Ilocos Norte where seas are anticipated to be rough to very rough.

The weather bureau advised fishing boats and other small sea vessels against venturing out into the sea while larger ships are alerted to big waves.