Flood Advisories Issued as LPA Threatens Eastern and Central Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The state weather bureau on Monday evening placed several areas in Bicol, Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Caraga under general flood advisories as a low-pressure area (LPA) east-northeast of Borongan City in Eastern Samar continued to enhance rains over large parts of the country. In separate General Flood Advisories issued at 6 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said light to moderate, and in some areas moderate to occasionally heavy rains with thunderstorms are expected over Regions 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), and 13 (Caraga) over the next 12 hours. The advisories flagged numerous rivers and tributaries across the affected regions as vulnerable to possible flooding. READ: Heavy rains to persist as LPA may become cyclone – Pagasa In Bicol, these include river systems in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon, particularly those serving low-lying communities such as the Lower Kilbay, Ragay, Tinalmud, Bato, Pajo, Guinale, Upper Donsol, Lanang, and Lower Donsol river systems. In Mimaropa, Pagasa identified rivers in Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, and Palawan, including the Tawiran-Tagum, Malaylay-Baco, Pulang Tubig, Abra de Ilog, Caguray, and several river systems across northern and central Palawan. For the Visayas, the weather bureau said rivers and tributaries in Antique, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Biliran, Leyte, Samar, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar remain susceptible to flooding, with moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall expected over Eastern Visayas. In Caraga, Pagasa also warned of possible flooding along rivers in Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Dinagat Islands, particularly those near the Surigao, Cantilan, Lake Mainit-Tubay, Asiga, Gibong, and Malinao river systems. Pagasa advised residents living near mountain slopes, rivers, and other low-lying areas in the affected provinces to remain vigilant and take the necessary precautionary measures. For Eastern Visayas, where the heaviest rainfall is forecast, the weather bureau also urged local disaster risk reduction and management councils to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides. As of 3 p.m., the LPA was estimated at 165 kilometers east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar. Pagasa said the weather disturbance continues to work with the southwest monsoon, or “habagat”, affecting the western section of Southern Luzon. Earlier Monday, Pagasa said the LPA has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours. If it intensifies, it will be given the local name Henry, becoming the country’s eighth tropical cyclone this year. READ: Bicol authorities enforce travel restrictions due to LPA Pagasa also warned that localized flooding, particularly in urban, low-lying, and riverside communities, as well as rain-induced landslides in susceptible areas, remain possible as rains continue through midweek. The latest flood advisories came as heavy rains already triggered flooding in parts of Metro Manila on Monday. Several roads in Quezon City became inundated during the afternoon downpour, prompting local authorities to advise motorists to take alternate routes and urge residents to continue monitoring official weather bulletins and flood advisories from Pagasa and local disaster management offices. /cb