The cloud cluster being monitored by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) east of extreme Northern Luzon has developed into a low-pressure area (LPA) on Monday afternoon, Sept. 4.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said the LPA was located 870 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon or inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 3 p.m.

He said the weather disturbance may become a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, and will be given the local name “Ineng.”

It may become the country’s ninth tropical cyclone this year and the first in September, he added.

Estareja pointed out that the potential cyclone may remain inside the PAR in the next two days.

Although it has a slim chance of making landfall over any part of the country, it may further strengthen the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which may bring rains to most of Luzon and Visayas over the next two days, he said.

PAGASA said the LPA’s trough or extension may bring scattered moderate to heavy rains to Cagayan and Isabela over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the trough of severe tropical storm Haikui, which was formerly known as “Hanna,” may continue to bring scattered moderate to heavy rains to Batanes.

Heavy to intense rains due to the enhanced habagat may still prevail over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while occasional moderate to heavy rains may affect Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Batangas.

The rest of Luzon may also experience scattered monsoon rain showers and thunderstorms.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA warned.