Weather: 'Falcon' nears Samar

Flash floods loom over parts of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao as Tropical Depression Falcon moved closer to Samar in Eastern Visayas Wednesday morning. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Falcon was about 550 km east northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 4 a.m. "The whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with scattered to widespead rains over the eastern section of Southern Luzon, of Visayas, and of Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. It said Falcon packed maximum winds of 55 kph near the center and is forecast to move northwest at 15 kph. PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said their models still show Falcon is not likely to make landfall over any part of the country.

"Medyo may kalayuan po. Ang epekto niya [ay] ang habagat natin pinagiibayo niya. Pero ang distance sa kalupaan malayo pa... Sa nakikita namin hindi tatama sa lupa, gigilid lang siya (It is still far from land mass. But for now it is enhancing the southwest monsoon. For now we do not see it making landfall)," Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. PAGASA said Falcon is expected to be 520 km northeast of Virac, Catanduanes Wednesday evening, and 440 km east northeast of Basco, Batanes Thursday evening. By Friday evening, it is expected to be 670 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or 90 km south southwest of Okinawa, Japan. Gale warning But PAGASA also warned fishermen and crew of small seacraft against strong to gale force winds affecting the western seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas and eastern seaboards of the country. "Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest to southeast will prevail over northern and Central Luzon and coming from the southwest to west over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. New potential threat Meanwhile, Javier said they are monitoring a low-pressure area outside Philippine territory that he said may become a cyclone after it enters the Philippines. "Medyo malayo pa, malayo pa sa Philippine area of responsibility. Pero binabantayan namin baka may pagbabanta sa atin (It is still far from the Philippine area of responsibility. But we are keeping watch over it lest it pose a threat)," he said. Coast Guard readies for 'Falcon' Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it is ready for Falcon, which intensified into a cyclone while in Philippine territory Tuesday. On its website, the Coast Guard said all its districts were given authority to maintain or increase their respective alert levels depending on their assessment on the situation and the prevailing condition in their respective area of responsibility. PCG commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag directed his men to ensure a high state of preparedness. Coast Guard district commanders were also directed to take more proactive steps in notifying or recalling fishermen before the onset of or during severe weather conditions. — RSJ, GMA News