PAGASA issues general flood advisories

By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz General flood advisories were issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday evening (June 10) as some river systems may overflow and trigger flash floods in low-lying communities. Due to the combined effects of a low pressure area (LPA) and southwesterly wind flow, light to moderate rains becoming widespread in the eastern section of the country are expected to affect the entire Visayas, and parts of Luzon and Mindanao. As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, flood advisories were issued for Region 4-A, Region 4-B, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga Region. "People living near the mountain slopes and in the low-lying areas of the river systems and the local disaster risk reduction and management councils concerned are advised to be alert for possible flash floods," PAGASA said. The LPA was estimated at 30 kilometers east of Borongan City in Eastern Samar around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Weather specialist Chris Perez said PAGASA is not discounting the possibility that the LPA may develop into a tropical depression while moving towards Central Luzon in the next 24 to 48 hours. Should it intensify into a tropical depression, PAGASA will be giving it a local name -- "Butchoy" -- and it would be the first cyclone this month, and the second this year. Perez said tropical cyclone wind signals may be hoisted immediately in the initial severe weather bulletin once this LPA develops into a tropical depression. By Thursday, the LPA and southwesterly wind flow may bring scattered to widespread rains and thunderstorms over Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-tawi, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, and the rest of Mindanao due to the two weather systems. The rest of Luzon will experience warm and humid weather conditions, apart from isolated afternoon or evening rain showers during severe thunderstorms. PAGASA had earlier said that the development of this LPA may trigger the start of the rainy season in the country this week.