Tropical storm skirts PH, heads for Japan, but brings rain to Luzon, Visayas

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 2 a.m., 16 September 2013

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Storm “Man-Yi” is heading for Japan but is expected to continue to enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat) and bring moderate to heavy rains over portions of Luzon and the Visayas on Monday.

The weather bureau alerted residents of Metro Manila as well as Central and southern Luzon to possible flash floods and landslides that may be triggered by the rains.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is tracking a low pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon.

The LPA was monitored at 4 p.m. Sunday to be 1,010 kms east of Luzon. “Based on our assessment, it could develop into a tropical depression as long as it remains over the Pacific Ocean,” forecaster Buddy Javier said, adding that the LPA was not anticipated to intensify into a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.

The weather agency said the current rainy weather was due to storm Man-Yi, which skirted the Philippine area of responsibility.—Jeannette I. Andrade