Rainy Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - The Visayas must brace for a rainy and windy Sinulog 2015 and papal visit.

This, as the state weather bureau cautioned against a low pressure area which is likely to enter the country.

PAGASA Visayas director Oscar Tabada told The FREEMAN that Cebu and the Central Visayas region will continue to experience rains and gusty winds.

“There is a chance that it will develop into a tropical cyclone. It will enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday, January 12. It will generally affect Mindanao and Visayas areas just like the previous tropical cyclones over the last quarter of 2014. The trajectory is influenced by the northeast monsoon,” Tabada said.

The state weatherman further cautioned that the public must remain vigilant and non-complacent like what happened during typhoon Seniang.

“Ang nahitabo man gud pag Seniang, wala na nag andam ang mga tawo kay matud pa nasobraan daw sila’g pangandam sa gisundan niini nga si Ruby. Mao tong nakalitan gyud ang tanan. Kinahanglan dili ta mag kumpyansa. Magmabinantayon ta kanunay, bisan pa og LPA ra na kay pwede ra gihapon na magdala og dagkong uwan,” Tabada explained.

Should the LPA intensify, it will be called “Amang,” the first tropical cyclone to enter the country in 2015.

Because of this, activities leading to Fiesta Señor 2015 might be interrupted by rains and strong winds.

This includes the fluvial procession on the morning of January 17.

“Most likely, baluron ang sea condition sa fluvial. But the decision would be with the Coast Guard. Sila ang mo-assess sa situation, of course with the guidance from PAGASA. Wala man kaayo tay problema sa Mactan Channel kay natago man na siya though hanginon gyud na. Ang balud na gyud ang kining sa mas open nga area,” he said.

Meantime, as Cebuanos continue to fulfill their annual tradition of completing the nine-day Novena Mass, the weekend will continue to be windy with light to moderate winds and rains due to the approaching LPA.

Similar weather conditions will be experienced in Tacloban City and Eastern Visayas as they prepare for the coming of Pope Francis next week.

“In Tacloban, light to moderate rains at times heavy still due to approaching LPA which is located East of Northeastern Mindanao,” he said.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)