PAGASA: Cold front behind deadly rains 'diffuses' but still a threat

The cold front that triggered heavy rains and landslides in parts of Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao in past days has started to diffuse, but could still pose a threat to parts of Luzon. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Manny Mendoza on Friday said the cold front threatens Bicol and Eastern Visayas. "The tail-end of the cold front is breaking up and is diffused. But it can still affect the areas around it," Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB. He said the cold front is likely to move north once the high-pressure area in Mainland China weakens. Earlier, PAGASA officer-in-charge Graciano Yumul Jr. said the cold front may move north, probably to the Isabela-Cagayan area by Sunday. According to Mendoza, "It is likely to have rains in Luzon during the weekend if the high-pressure area in China weakens." Meanwhile, PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin said the Northeast monsoon is still prevailing over Northern and Central Luzon while the diffused tail-end of the cold front is affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao. "Southern Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said. It added the rest of Mindanao will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with light rains. — LBG, GMANews.TV