PAGASA: Approaching cyclone may enter PHL Sunday

A tropical cyclone east of the country may enter Philippine territory on Sunday but is not likely to make landfall, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Saturday. PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said the tropical depression, to be codenamed “Onyok" upon entering Philippine territory, may gain strength but may follow the same path as “Nonoy" (Kulap). “Kung hindi magbabago ang bilis at direksyon nito, bukas papasok ito sa Philippine area of responsibility," Galang said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he said PAGASA models show the tropical depression may enter the northern Philippine area and is not likely to directly affect any part of the country. He also said that while there is a possibility the tropical depression can gain strength, it is still not that organized. “Doon siya sa bandang itaas, hindi siya makakaapekto sa bansa sakali man papasok ito. Malaki ang posibilidad hindi siya mag-landfall," he said. Meanwhile, Galang said a shallow low-pressure area (SLPA) off Catanduanes Friday afternoon had made landfall and dissolved. PAGASA’s bulletin at 5 p.m. Friday indicated the SLPA was estimated at 155 km northeast of Catanduanes, embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, but it dissolved upon landfall. For Saturday, he said the ITCZ may bring rain to parts of the country. Meanwhile, PAGASA warned of possible flash floods and landslides on Palawan due to the ITCZ. “Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rains over Palawan which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms," it said. — LBG, GMA News