By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday, July 16 said a low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon are expected to bring rain showers across most parts of the country in the next 24 hours.
The LPA, located 310 kilometers east-northeast of Davao City, may bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region.
The southwest monsoon or “habagat” may also cause cloudy weather conditions with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Palawan.
PAGASA Weather Specialist Rhea Torres warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains expected in Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, and Palawan.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Cavite, Batangas, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
The rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA also warned the public about severe thunderstorms that could lead to flash floods or landslides.
Potential cyclone
Torres said PAGASA is still not discounting the possibility of the LPA near Davao City developing into a tropical depression in the coming days.
The next tropical cyclone name in PAGASA’s list is “Butchoy.”
By Wednesday, July 17, Torres said the LPA may bring rains to a large portion of Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas, as well as some parts of Mindanao.
Before the weekend, she said rains may also affect Visayas, Bicol Region, and Mimaropa (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan).
By the weekend, she added that rains may prevail over Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and Central Luzon.