Rains, thunderstorms ‘til weekend

Intermittent rainfall and thunderstorm are expected to persist this weekend and will affect areas in the Visayas, including Cebu province, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) -Visayas.

PAGASA-Visayas chief, Engineer Oscar Tabada, said Visayas is affected mainly by the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone embedded along with tropical depression "Carina" spotted east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar yesterday morning.

"For the forecast, (provinces of) Cebu and Bohol will be overcast with light to moderate at times heavy rains. Thunderstorm today (July 29) and tomorrow (July 30)," Tabada said.

Yesterday at 11 a.m., the Low Pressure Area east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar developed into a tropical depression, was then named Carina with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour.

Carina is the third tropical cyclone to enter Philippine Area of Responsibility after Ambo and Butchoy but the second for the month of July alone. Three tropical cyclones were expected to enter PAR in July.

Tabada advised the public and local disaster risk reduction and management bodies to take precautionary measures and to continue monitoring for advisories as significant changes in the weather pattern may occur.

He also warned fishermen against moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Visayas Region.

As of yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Station has not cancelled any trip because of the weather condition.

"As of now, no cancellation po. No delays din kahit may tropical depression na," said Peter Georgei Monel of PCG-Cebu Station yesterday.

Monel said trips will be suspended automatically once signal number 1 will be raised.