LPA outside PAR to turn into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility will develop into a typhoon and was expected to enter PAR yesterday or early today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

“There is a high chance that the LPA will develop into a typhoon within this day,” PAGASA weather specialist Veronica Torres said at a 4 p.m. briefing yesterday.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the LPA was located 1,460 kilometers east of Southern Luzon.

Torres said satellite image showed the weather disturbance has wide circulation.

“The trough or extension of the LPA is currently affecting the country. The trough will bring rains in Aurora, Quezon, Bicol region, Northern Samar, Palawan, Zamboanga peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Soccsksargen,” Torres added.

She advised the public to take necessary precautions on possible flooding and landslides.

PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said the weather disturbance will be named “Kristine” once it develops into a typhoon, which would be the 11th cyclone to affect PAR this year.

“Based on our latest analysis, its track will be east of Northern and Central Luzon. We do not discount the possible scenario of landfall in Northern and Central Luzon but, as it is not yet a typhoon, its track scenario may still change,” Castañeda said.

Although the LPA still had no direct effect in any parts of the country, she said that by today and Tuesday the track of the outer rain bands of the weather disturbance would bring rains in eastern southern Luzon and big portion of Visayas.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged yesterday the public to take early precautions.

“Let us engage in proactive planning and stay informed with relevant updates to ensure we are adequately prepared. We are collaborating closely with all concerned agencies to establish a comprehensive and cohesive action plan,” Teodoro said.

He noted that predictive analyses from the Department of Social Welfare and Development indicate that over a million individuals could be affected by the impending tropical cyclone.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau also reported that 5,688 barangays are at risk of landslides and flooding in regions projected to be impacted by Kristine as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) instructed its regional offices to begin preparatory activities to ensure readiness for the possible impacts of “Kristine.”

“We urge vulnerable communities to heed our call and make the necessary preparations for Kristine. Your cooperation is essential to our ongoing efforts to ensure your safety and well-being,” said OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno. — Pia Lee-Brago