Scattered rains as LPA spotted in Northern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — Scattered rains will prevail over the eastern section of the country due to a low-pressure area off Northern Samar, the state weather bureau said yesterday.

The low-pressure area, which was spotted at 990 kilometers east of Catarman or 1,025 km east of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m. yesterday, is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next two days.

The weather disturbance will be locally named Ineng once it develops into a cyclone, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

“The trough of the low-pressure area will bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur,” PAGASA said.

The weather agency warned residents in these areas against possible flashfloods and landslides.

PAGASA senior weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the low-pressure area was not expected to affect Metro Manila until Friday.

He said fair weather would prevail over most parts of the country, including Metro Manila, apart from isolated thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon or evening.

According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon will continue to bring isolated rain showers over Batanes and Babuyan Group of Islands in the next 24 hours.

Up to four tropical cyclones were predicted by PAGASA to enter the Philippine area of responsibility this month.

Typhoon Hanna, the eighth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first this month, did not make landfall but triggered heavy monsoon rains in many parts of Luzon and Western Visayas.

The water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan has improved due to days of rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon. The dam is Metro Manila’s main source of potable water.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, Angat’s water reserve was 177.39 meters, less than four meters below its normal operating level of 180 meters.