Pagasa warns of heavy rains, landslides in parts of Visayas, Mindanao

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 10 p.m., 12 January 2014

MANILA, Philippines — There is little chance for the low pressure area (LPA) over Mindanao to develop into a tropical depression but the state weather bureau has warned of moderate to heavy rains that might trigger on Monday flashfloods and landslide in the northern portion of the region and parts of the Visayas.

The forecasters of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasters likewise cautioned fishing boats and small vessels from setting sail on the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon as well as the eastern seaboards of the Visayas, Palawan, the Caraga Region, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur because of strong to gale force winds associated with the surge of the amihan (the northeast monsoon).

Forecaster Jun Galang told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the LPA was already over the Caraga region by 2:30 p.m., Sunday, so there was little possibility of it developing into tropical depression “Agaton.”

“The LPA has already made landfall and its friction with the land mass could make it dissipate,” Galang explained, adding that LPAs usually gather strength from and develop over the ocean.

The forecaster, however, said that even if the LPA would not become a tropical depression, it could spawn rains that could cause flashfloods and landslides in the regions of Caraga as well as the Eastern and Central Visayas.

He advised residents in the areas to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Likewise Galang said that fishing boats and other small seacrafts should not venture out into the sea, particularly in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the eastern seaboards of the Visayas, Palawan, Caraga Region, Davao Oriental and Davao del Sur, while larger vessels are alerted to big waves that could reach up to five meters.

Sea conditions in the areas are anticipated to be rough to very rough.

In its forecast for Monday, Pagasa said that while portions of the Visayas and Northern Mindanao would have moderate to heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms, the Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, and the rest of Visayas and of Mindanao would have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be cloudy with isolated light rains.

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