Weather: Potential cyclone intensifies, PAGASA says

A potential cyclone intensified into an active low-pressure area (ALPA) Tuesday afternoon, even as state weather forecasters warned of flash floods and landslides in the eastern parts of Visayas and Mindanao.   The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the ALPA was estimated at 790 km east of Southern Mindanao as of 2 p.m.   "Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rain over Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.   It added the rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with light rain.   PAGASA forecaster Ricky Fabregas said there is a chance the ALPA may become a cyclone.   “Naroon ang chance niya at from PAGASA, patuloy na mino-monitor at binabantayan (There is always a possibility of it becoming a cyclone. We are monitoring it continuously),” he said in an interview on dzBB radio.   Earlier, PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said the weather disturbance is likely to enter Philippine territory by early Wednesday.   Mendoza also said the weather disturbance, then a low-pressure area, had a "slim" chance of intensifying into a cyclone.   On the other hand, PAGASA's 10:30 a.m. weather advisory indicated the weather disturbance could merge with the easterly winds to bring rain to parts of the country.   Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the east will prevail over the whole country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. — KBK, GMA News