Manila Bulletin
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LPA likely to become tropical depression 'Egay'; landfall not ruled out — PAGASA
Philippines
National
LPA likely to become tropical depression 'Egay'; landfall not ruled out — PAGASA
LPA likely to become tropical depression 'Egay'; landfall not ruled out — PAGASA
Published Jul 21, 2023 12:54 am
The low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon will likely develop into a tropical depression on Friday, July 21, and will be named “Egay,” said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Weather specialist Benison Estareja said the LPA was last seen 950 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon at 3 a.m. on Friday.
“Inaasahan natin ngayong araw magiging isang tropical depression ang low-pressure area given na yung circulation ng mga ulap ay mas naging compact unlike nitong mga nakaraang araw na kalat-kalat ang mga kaulapan sa paligid ng low-pressure area (We expect that the LPA will become a tropical depression today given that the circulation of the clouds has become more compact unlike the past few days when the clouds around it are scattered),” Estareja said in its live weather forecast.
If it becomes a tropical depression, it will be given the local name “Egay,” the fifth tropical cyclone for 2023 and the second for July.
Based on the PAGASA’s tropical cyclone threat potential forecast, Estareja said the weather disturbance may remain inside the country’s area of responsibility for the next five to six days.
Possible scenarios
According to Estareja, this weather disturbance could either make landfall in northern Luzon or continue east toward the Japanese southern islands. Between July 21 and 23, it may move westward and be closest to Samar, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Bicol Region, he noted. Moreover, PAGASA may raise tropical cyclone wind warnings as early as Sunday, July 23, in anticipation of strong winds from this weather disturbance. Estareja pointed out that a possible intensification into a severe tropical storm or typhoon by Monday or Tuesday, July 24 or 25, is also not ruled out.Enhanced ‘habagat’
In the next 24 hours, the strengthening southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” trough or extension of the LPA, and localized thunderstorms will be the dominant weather systems in the country. “Walang direct effect ang low-pressure area sa alin mang panig ng bansa for now pero ang southwest monsoon o habagat ay unti-unting magpapaulan at inaasahang lalakas sa mga susunod na araw-araw (The LPA has no direct effect on any part of the country for now, but the southwest monsoon will gradually bring rains, which is expected to strengthen in the next few days),” Estareja said. As of Friday, cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms persist over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental. PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides during moderate to heavy rainfall in these areas. Meanwhile, the rest of the country may continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening due to the trough or extension of the LPA. PAGASA warned that severe thunderstorms, which are accompanied by brief but heavy rains, may also cause flooding or landslides.