Tropical Depression Develops, Expected to Bring Rain to Nearly 10 Philippine Areas

A low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) has developed into a tropical depression, which is expected to bring rain to nearly 10 areas in the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday. The LPA developed into a tropical depression at around 2:00 p.m. It was last located 1,885 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, outside the PAR, PAGASA said in its 4:00 p.m. advisory. The weather disturbance has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. Its trough is likely to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region, Sorsogon, Masbate, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Camiguin. PAGASA warned of possible flooding and landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains in these areas. In the next three days, the tropical depression, formerly the LPA, is likely to enter the PAR but will not directly affect the country, PAGASA said in an earlier press briefing. Meanwhile, Palawan is expected to be affected by thunderstorms caused by the southwest monsoon. Metro Manila and the rest of the country are likely to experience localized thunderstorms. PAGASA also warned of possible flash floods and landslides in these areas during severe thunderstorms. — Edg Adrian A. Eva