PAGASA: Weather disturbance moves northwest of Palawan

Flash floods and landslides loom over parts of Northern and Central Luzon Wednesday as a potential cyclone – a low-pressure area – moved northwest of Palawan. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also said rain showers and thunderstorms are still likely over the country. "The whole country will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rain over Central and Northern Luzon which may trigger flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin. However, PAGASA did not say if the LPA would become a cyclone. If it does, it will be locally codenamed "Sendong." It said that as of 2 a.m. Wednesday, the LPA was estimated at 240 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City, embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) affecting the country. Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the east will prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and coming from the east to southeast over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Light to moderate winds coming from the east to northeast will prevail over Mindanao with slight to moderate seas. Also, strong to gale-force winds associated with the surge of Northeasterly surface windflow may affect the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon. "Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — LBG, GMA News