Weather: 2 LPAs threaten south Luzon, Visayas

Two low-pressure areas off Cagayan and Aurora threaten to trigger rains and landslides in parts of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, even as Mindanao may get a break of sorts from heavy rains that triggered landslides in past days. As this developed, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the chances of the LPAs intensifying into a cyclone remained "slim" as of Wednesday. "Meron tayong dalawang LPA, pero sa ngayon mababa o slim ang chance na mabuo bilang isang bagyo (We still have two LPAs but their chances of becoming a cyclone at this time remain slim)," PAGASA forecaster Joel Jesusa said in an interview on dzBB radio. Should any of the LPAs become a cyclone, it will be codenamed "Goring." Philippine weather site Typhoon2000 had indicated a cyclone formation is likely between July 7 and 12 (Thursday to Tuesday). On the other hand, Jesusa said Mindanao may get some "10 to 12" hours of relief from heavy downpour that had caused floods and landslides in past days. But he said Mindanao can expect rains again in the afternoon and evening. "Ang mga kababayan natin sa Mindanao medyo pahinga maghapon, bahagya na maulap na kalangitan pero expected pa rin ang isolated rains lalo sa dakong hapon o gabi (Residents in Mindanao can expect a break from rains for a few hours, but they should expect isolated rains in the afternoon or evening)," he said.

LPAs As of 2 a.m., PAGASA said one of the LPAs was estimated at 710 km east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan. The other was estimated at 230 km east of Casiguran, Aurora. In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA also said a monsoon trough is affecting Luzon and the Visayas. "Luzon and Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over the western section of Southern Luzon and of Visayas which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said. It added that Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. — RSJ, GMA News