Rains likely over eastern sections of Visayas, Mindanao on Christmas -- PAGASA

It's going to be a wet Christmas in the eastern parts of Visayas and Mindanao as a low pressure area (LPA) will likely enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, Dec. 23, or Friday, Dec. 24.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio on Wednesday, Dec. 22, said the LPA was estimated at 1,350 kilometers east of Mindanao as of 4 a.m.
He pointed out that the LPA has a 30 percent to 40 percent chance of intensifying into a tropical depression.
While there is a minimal chance of intensification, Aurelio said that the LPA may move close to the eastern sections of Visayas and Mindanao and bring rains over these areas by Saturday, Dec. 25.
"Kaya paalala po sa ating mga kababayan na maging laging alerto at updated sa ating weather lalo na sa low pressure area na ito (We advise our countrymen to be always alert and keep updated on weather forecasts especially regarding this low pressure area)," Aurelio said, as most parts of Visayas and Mindanao are still reeling from the impact of typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).
In the next 24 hours, PAGASA said the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) will still be the dominant weather system in the country.
Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail over Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental.
PAGASA advised those in Davao Region to take precautions against possible flooding or landslides, especially during moderate to, at times, heavy rains.
It said that the rest of the country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the ITCZ and localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA also warned the public that the occurrence of severe thunderstorms may sometimes trigger flash floods or landslides.