PAGASA: LPA east of Mindanao may develop into cyclone on New Year's Day

A low pressure area (LPA) located more than a thousand kilometers east of Mindanao may form into a tropical depression as the country welcomes the New Year.

Ariel Roxas of weather bureau PAGASA told Super Radyo dzBB that as of Saturday morning, the LPA was estimated at 1,175 kilometers east of Mindanao.

PAGASA earlier said the that weather disturbance will be called Wilma if it enters the PAR, but Roxas said there has been a change in the forecast.

He said that the LPA may enter the Philippine Area of Responsibilty by Saturday night or Sunday morning, and may develop into a tropical depression by January 1 or January 2.

It will be called Agaton.

Areas in the northern part of Mindanao are still reeling from the damage wrought by severe tropical storm Vinta, which has left more than 160 people dead and more than 160 more missing.

Vinta entered the PAR days before Christmas.

Before Vinta, tropical cyclone Urduja also devastated parts of Mindanao and the Visayas, leaving at least 40 people dead and thousands more displaced. —Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/ALG, GMA News