By Brian Campued
As the southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to drench most parts of the country Tuesday, the state weather bureau said it is also monitoring two low pressure areas (LPA) inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), both of which have the potential of developing into tropical depression within the next 24 hours.
In a 5:00 a.m. public briefing, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Weather Specialist, Obet Badrina, said one LPA was located 1,140 km east of Central Luzon and has a “high” chance to become a tropical cyclone.
Another LPA was spotted 340 km east of Calayan, Cagayan, and has a “medium” chance of developing into a tropical depression.
“Posibleng isa sa dalawang low pressure areas na ito ay maaaring maging bagyo. Sa ngayon po, base sa pinakahuling datos natin, possible po ‘yong nasa silangan ng Central Luzon… ito po ‘yong posibleng maging bagyo hanggang bukas,” Badrina said.
When the LPA develops into a tropical depression, it will be given the name “Dante”—the fourth tropical cyclone in the country this year and the third in July.
Badrina added that the potential tropical cyclone, based on latest weather data, will generally move northward and has a low chance to make landfall over any parts of the country.
However, it may also further enhance the southwest monsoon, which currently affects most parts of Luzon and Visayas—causing widespread flooding and prompting the suspension of classes and government work in some provinces.
Over the rest of Tuesday until habagat will bring heavy to intense rains in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro. And moderate to heavy rains over Pangasinan, Tarlac, Laguna, and Quezon Province.
By Wednesday, habagat will dump significant amounts of rainfall over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, CALABARZON, Western Visayas, as well as most parts of MIMAROPA, Central Luzon, and Bicol Region.
Meanwhile, the rest of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Davao Region will experience scattered rains and thunderstorms.
Isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will also prevail over the rest of Mindanao, according to PAGASA.
-jpv
