Slight rains for Cebu

IT’S a rainy post-Christmas for Cebu and other areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services and Administration (Pagasa) recorded 14.2- millimeters of rain between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. today.

But weather observer Mae Kasilagan of Pagasa-Mactan, Cebu said that while the amount of rainfall is still considered moderate, it can still trigger flooding in low-lying areas and a possible landslide in the mountains.

The rain is the result of the tail end of a cold front affecting the Visayas and a low pressure area spotted south of Cotabato that’s causing the rain in Mindanao.

Kasilagan said the rains would unlikely develop into a typhoon since it is headed out of the country.

The entire Cebu province will continue to experience scattered rain showers, but it won’t be continuous unlike yesterday.

Engr. Oscar Tabada, Pagasa Mactan chief said, good weather will be experienced on Wednesday or Thursday.

Fishermen are also warned not to go to the sea this time because of the strong waves.

Rains would however be widespread over the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Surigao, Misamis, Davao and Cotabato.

She said Cebuanos can expect cloudy days as the New Year approaches.

Alvin Santillana, head of Cebu City’s Disaster Risk Reduction Management, asked Cebuanos living near creeks and rivers to immediately evacuate to higher ground once a downpour occurs.

Santillana said while the city’s disaster team is not on stand-by alert, they will continue to monitor the situation. /Marian Z. Codilla, Jhunnex Napallacan and Doris C. Bongcac