PAGASA: Weather disturbance spotted off Mindanao

On the last day of 2011, residents in southern Mindanao may have to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides due to a weather disturbance, or a low-pressure area (LPA). The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that while the LPA is not likely to become a cyclone, it may still bring floods or landslides. “Hindi ito mabubuo na isang ganap na bagyo (pero) ang aming paalala sa Mindanao, maging alerto. Ang kaulapan dulo ng LPA na ito ay makapal," PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio. Mendoza said their forecast models indicated the LPA may bring widespread rain over the eastern and southern parts of Mindanao. On the other hand, he said the northeast monsoon is affecting parts of Luzon, including Bicol.   As of 2 a.m. Saturday, Mendoza said the LPA was estimated at 520 km east-southeast of General Santos City. “Magdadala ito ng maraming ulan lalo sa silangan at timog Mindanao (We expect this LPA to bring rain especially to eastern and southern Mindanao),” he said. Residents of Mindanao are still reeling from the effects of tropical storm “Sendong” (Washi), which devastated parts of Mindanao and Visayas, including Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities. The storm had left more than 1,000 dead and more than P1 billion in damage to property. PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin indicated the LPA was estimated at 520 km east-southeast of General Santos City. It added the northeast monsoon is affecting Northern Luzon. "Eastern and Central Visayas and Mindanao will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms becoming cloudy with widespread rain over Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said. The rest of Visayas will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Northern and Eastern Luzon will experience mostly cloudy skies with light rain becoming frequent over the eastern section while the rest of Luzon will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with light rain. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be moderate to occasionally strong coming from the northeast to north with moderate to occasionally rough seas. PAGASA also said strong to gale-force winds associated with the northeast monsoon may affect the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas. "Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — LBG, GMA News