La Niña weakens but rains to continue

MANILA, Philippines - The weather bureau advised the public yesterday to bring umbrellas daily as isolated rains and thunderstorms are expected to prevail over most parts of the country this week.

Nikos Peñaranda, weather forecaster at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said the La Niña phenomenon has weakened but will continue to bring rains over most parts of the country this summer.

“There is a high probability of rains and thunderstorms, particularly in the afternoons, over some parts of Southern Luzon, including the Bicol region, Visayas and Mindanao next week,” Peñaranda said in an interview with radio dzBB.

Peñaranda warned residents, particularly in the Bicol region, to be alert for possible flashfloods and landslides.

He said Metro Manila as well as parts of Northern and Central Luzon would still experience rains in the next few days due to the easterlies or warm air coming from the Pacific Ocean and the frontal system.

PAGASA also expected the formation of low-pressure areas over the Pacific Ocean, which could bring rains over most parts of the country, Peñaranda said.

Meanwhile, Peñaranda said the low-pressure area off Puerto Princesa, Palawan continued to move away from the country yesterday.

“It is not expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone and it is not expected to affect any part of the country,” he said.

As of 2 a.m. yesterday, the low-pressure area was spotted at 360 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported that the weather disturbance left two persons dead and two others missing in Bicol.