LPA, 'habagat' to dampen parts of PH

MANILA, July 2 ------ A huge part of the country will continue to experience rain showers caused by a low pressure area (LPA) and the southwest monsoon or "habagat", the weather bureau said. As of 3 a.m., the LPA was traced 200 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 235 km. east of Echague, Isabela and has a high potential to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Due to the LPA's close proximity to the landmass, the hoisting of signal no. 1 is likely over the eastern sections of northern and central Luzon as soon as the LPA develops into a cyclone. The LPA will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley and the provinces of Aurora and Nueva Ecija.

The same weather condition is forecasted over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and the rest of Central Luzon due to the habagat. Moderate to heavy rains in those areas could result in flash floods or landslides, PAGASA said in its 4 a.m bulletin. Habagat will also bring isolated rains or thunderstorms over the rest of the country, PAGASA added.

Moderate winds and moderate seas will prevail over northern Luzon and the western sections of central and southern Luzon. Elsewhere, light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas will prevail. Meanwhile, PAGASA forecaster Loriedin dela Cruz said the cyclone being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility is moving away and unlikely to affect any part of the country.

Source: pna.gov.ph