LPA-induced rains to affect Vis-Min areas

MANILA, Philippines - Moderate to heavy rains brought by a low pressure area (LPA) will continue to affect several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao this weekend, the state weather bureau warned yesterday.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the LPA was spotted at 300 kilometers east of Surigao City, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Weather forecasters said there is a possibility that the LPA will develop into a tropical cyclone in the next few days as it remains over the sea.

PAGASA warned residents of the Caraga region and the provinces of Samar and Leyte of possible flashfloods and landslides, as the LPA could bring moderate to heavy rains (five to 15 millimeters per hour of rainfall) and thunderstorms.

More than 7,000 people have been evacuated in Caraga due to floods spawned by the LPA, particularly in Butuan City, San Luis in Agusan del Sur, and Lanuza in Surigao del Sur.

In Butuan, a 59-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest in an evacuation center at the Agusan National High School. Majority of the evacuees in the region are from the city’s 21 barangays.

In South Cotabato,  Norala town has been placed under a state of calamity due to “severe flooding,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Heavy rains caused the Papaya creek in the Norala town proper and other low-lying creeks to overflow, flooding at least seven barangays.

More flashfloods that the LPA could trigger have put all Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) units on alert.

PCG commandant Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena said all their personnel in the LPA-affected areas are on heightened alert.  

Meanwhile, PAGASA warned of big waves in the seaboards of northern and central Luzon and the eastern seaboard of southern Luzon and eastern Visayas due to the surge of the northeast monsoon. – With Ben Serrano, Alexis Romero, Evelyn Macairan