PAGASA: Rain, flash floods, threaten parts of PHL

Flash floods and landslides threaten Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao, even as rain looms over parts of the country due to a low-pressure area (LPA) and an inter-tropical convergence zone. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the LPA was estimated at 570 km east of Visayas as of 8 a.m., embedded along the ITCZ. "Both weather systems will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. However, widespread rains expected over the Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 11 a.m. advisory. It advised the disaster coordinating councils to monitor the development of this weather disturbance. Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Gener Quitlong said the LPA has a good chance of becoming a cyclone. Quitlong said their models show the LPA may become a cyclone in the next few days. Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside Philippine territory, it will be locally codenamed "Mina." Meanwhile, PAGASA noted rain over Rizal province as of noon. — LBG, GMA News>