New LPA may develop into tropical cyclone this week – PAGASA

Typhoon “Quiel” (international name “Nakri”) has left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Saturday morning but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring a new low pressure area (LPA) east of Mindanao that may develop into a tropical cyclone

this coming week.

PAGASA weather specialist Meno Mendoza said the weather disturbance may enter the PAR through the eastern border by Tuesday and may develop into a tropical cyclone later in the week. The next cyclone will be named “Ramon.”

For now, Mendoza said the tail-end of cold front will still prevail over Northern Luzon, which could bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino until Sunday.

Fair weather in the morning with chances of rain showers due to localized thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening may affect Metro Manila and the rest of the country, he added.

The entire country should remain alert for possible flash floods in low-lying areas or landslides in mountainous regions during severe thunderstorms, Mendoza warned.

Likewise, sea travel remains risky, especially for small sea vessels, over the coasts of Northern Luzon and western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to rough sea conditions triggered by the tail-end of cold front.

Fisherfolk and those with small sea crafts should not set sail into these seaboards.

Six dead

The province of Apayao was placed on Friday under a state of calamity due to severe flooding brought about by torrential rains spawned by typhoon “Quiel”, leaving two persons dead Thursday night.

Vice Governor Remy Albano identified the victims as Board Member Tolentino Mangalao, 54, of Calanasan, Apayao; and Cpl. Rommel Gumidam Jr. of Kabugao town.

The two victims were supposed to attend an assembly in Namaltogan village but reportedly decided to spend the night in the house of one of the residents because of the heavy rains and landslides.