Tropical storm ‘Mina’ stationary

Tropical Storm “Mina” on Wednesday slightly intensified while remaining stationary over Philippine Sea northeast of the archipelago.

The storm is expected to enhance southwest monsoon to bring rain over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“These areas will experience light to moderate rain,” forecaster Jun Galang said by phone.

The rest of Luzon, however, would experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, Pagasa said.

The rains would become widespread over the eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon, which may trigger flash floods and landslides.

These areas will experience moderate to heavy rain, Galang said.

Mina, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness up to 100 kph, was spotted over Philippine Sea 400 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes at around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Since it remained stationary over Philippine Sea, Mina could either intensify into a typhoon or move in another direction, Galang said.