Possible flash floods and landslides threaten parts of Mindanao as a potential cyclone—a low-pressure area—moved closer to Southern Mindanao early Monday, state weather forecasters said.
In a radio interview, PAGASA forecaster Connie Dadivas said the LPA was estimated at 1,120 km east of Southern Mindanao as of 4 a.m.
"May paulan na sa Mindanao. Sa ngayon medyo mahina, 5-7 mm per hour. Pero expect natin in the next 24 hours baka magdulot ito ng moderate to heavy rain," Dadivas said in an interview on dzBB radio.
She also said that while they cannot discount the possibility of the LPA becoming a cyclone, their models presently show it has little chance of intensifying into one.
If the LPA becomes a cyclone while inside the Philippine area of responsibility, it will be codenamed Crising.
"Sa ngayon mahina ang chance maging bagyo. Pagtawid ng Mindanao, LPA pa rin. Sa nakikita natin mahina siya at hindi siya magiging bagyo," she said.
According to GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz, rainfall forecast shows that rainy weather conditions are not limited to the areas to be directly affected by the passage of the LPA.
"Rainfall is more concentrated in the northern part of the system due to low level wind convergence and mid level southeasterly wind associated with a ridge developing over west Pacific Ocean so moderate to heavy rains could be experienced not only in Mindanao but also in the Visayas (particularly central part) while light to moderate rains are possible in southern and eastern Luzon on Wednesday and Thursday," he added.
Rain over PHL
While the LPA may affect Mindanao, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon is affecting Luzon.
"The regions of CARAGA, Davao and SOCCSKSARGEN will experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides, it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Eastern Visayas and the rest of Mindanao and will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rain showers or thunderstorms.
Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa and Aurora and Quezon provinces will be cloudy with light rain, it added.
Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
Also, moderate to strong winds from the northeast will prevail throughout the archipelago, making coastal waters moderate to rough.
Gale warning
PAGASA also warned of strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon possibly affecting the northern and eastern seaboards of the country.
"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. —With a report by A.M. Marzoña/KG, GMA News
