LPA off Mindanao likely to become tropical depression

THE Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) revealed on Thursday that there is a greater chance for the low pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao to intensify into a tropical depression within 24 to 48 hours.

“We are closely monitoring the movement of this weather disturbance as we see its big probability of developing into a storm over the next 24 to 48 hours,” weather specialist Patrick del Mundo said.

Once it escalates into a tropical depression, it will have its domestic name: “Egay,” the fourth storm to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this year, the Pagasa forecaster said.

However, citing analysis, the state-run weather agency said it may not directly affect the country as it is unlikely to make a landfall and will instead re-curve on the way out of PAR.

Spotted past 3 a.m., Thursday, the LPA was estimated at 650 kilometers east-northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur or at 715 kms east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

It is directly affecting Visayas, Romblon, Sorsogon, Masbate, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Provinces, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands where overcast skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms may prevail, according to Pagasa.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said its trough along with the localized thunderstorms are bringing partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated downpour or thunderstorms over Metro Manila and the rest of the country within the next 24 hours.