PAGASA: Two potential cyclones merge off Mindanao

Two low-pressure areas (LPAs) that threatened to intensify into a tropical cyclone merged off Mindanao before noon Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. PAGASA forecaster Aldczar Aurelio also said the merged LPA is likely to continue gathering strength as it is still at sea. "Kapag merong [dalawang] low-pressure areas, kadalasan hihigupin ng mas malakas ang mahina at magresulta ito ng mas malakas na pinag-isang LPA," Aurelio said in an interview on the noontime newscast Balitanghali.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said eastern Mindanao remains under threat of flash floods and landslides from the merged LPAs. He said the merger of two LPAs near to each other is common in the Philippine weather system. Meanwhile, PAGASA said the merged LPA was estimated at 250 km east of Mindanao as of 8 a.m. In its 10:30 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the LPA is embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting Visayas and Mindanao. "These weather systems are expected to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Visayas and Mindanao becoming widespread rains over Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," it said. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Ben Oris said the LPA may become a cyclone by Friday or Saturday. Oris said that if the LPA becomes a cyclone, it will be codenamed "Egay." Should the LPA become a cyclone, it will be the fifth in Philippine territory so far this year. — LBG, GMA News