Low-pressure area spotted off Catanduanes

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Southern Luzon are advised to brace for rains and thunderstorms until the weekend due to a low-pressure area spotted off Catanduanes yesterday.

The low-pressure area, however, is not expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone, according to Rene Paciente, senior weather forecaster of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, the weather system was located at 260 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes.

Paciente said the low-pressure area would bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Quezon, Palawan, the Bicol region and Calabarzon until today.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have isolated rains or thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA forecaster Jun Galang said the low-pressure area might enhance the southwest monsoon.

The low-pressure area was embedded along the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

A total of 10 tropical cyclones have entered the Philippine area of responsibility so far this year. The next cyclone will be locally named Kanor.

PAGASA said about 20 cyclones enter the country every year.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the coastal waters throughout the archipelago would be slight to moderate.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday ordered its field units to be on alert for the possible effects of the low-pressure area.

“You are hereby directed to monitor the situation and undertake precautionary measures in your area of responsibility,” NDRRMC executive director Alexander Pama said in a memorandum.

“Emphasis should be on proactive actions – evacuation rather than rescue,” it added.

The NDRRMC also reminded its regional offices to relay timely information to local leaders and the media to prevent casualties. – With Alexis Romero