Pagasa issues coastal alert

MANILA, Philippines – The weather bureau alerted the public yesterday against big waves and rough seas in the seaboards of Luzon and the western seaboards of the Visayas in the next three days due to the surge of strong winds wrought by tropical depression “Cosme.”

In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the seaboards of Luzon and western seaboards of Visayas will experience rough to very rough sea conditions with wave heights of 2.5 to 6.5 meters and 2.5 to five meters, respectively, until the weekend.

“Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while bigger seacraft are alerted against moderate to high waves,” Pagasa said.

“Residents along the coastal areas of Luzon and Western Visayas are alerted against big waves generated by this tropical cyclone,” it added.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said an active low-pressure area was located some 200 kms east of Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Pagasa forecaster Ludy Alviar said it was moving away from the country but would continue to bring rains.

She said Cosme and the active low-pressure area would enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Luzon and Western Visayas in the next three days.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Cosme was estimated at 400 kilometers west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, packing winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center. It was forecast to move north at seven kph.

In a phone interview, Alviar said Cosme interacts with the active low pressure area east-northeast of Basco, Batanes, preventing it from further intensifying.

Alviar said there is a possibility that Cosme will cross Northern Luzon.

Cosme is the third tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, and second for the month.

Alviar said Cosme is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday.

No public storm warning signals were raised as of yesterday morning, Pagasa said.

Cosme was forecast to be at 260 kms southwest of Iba, Zambales this morning; 220 kms southwest of Vigan City tomorrow morning; and 70 kms north-northeast of Laoag City or 190 kms southwest of Basco, Batanes by Sunday morning.

Pagasa said Luzon and Visayas will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over central and southern Luzon and Western Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

“Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa warned.

Meanwhile, Mindanao will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.   – Helen Flores, AP