Flash floods and landslides caused by heavy rain from a shallow low-pressure area continue to threaten Mindanao on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said the SLPA is also enhancing the southwest monsoon, which will bring rain over parts of Luzon and Visayas. "Ang SLPA ay nag-e-enhance sa southwest monsoon," Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio. Heavy rain from the SLPA had flooded several parts of Mindanao since Monday night. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council had recorded at least two deaths in Mindanao due to the floods.
As of 2 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA said the SLPA was estimated at 210 km east of Northern Mindanao, even as the southwest monsoon is affecting Luzon.
"Northern and Western Luzon including Metro Manila will experience monsoon rains. Mindanao will have cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
Western Visayas will experience mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms, it added. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. Meanwhile, a tropical storm approaching the Philippines is not likely to make landfall but may still bring heavy rain by enhancing the southwest monsoon. But PAGASA said this is no reason for Filipinos to be complacent as the storm continues to gather strength.
"Nakikita natin sa projection, ito ay lilihis paakyat papuntang norte. Gayunpaman, kung hindi tuwirang epekto ang paghatak ng southwest monsoon," Enriquez said.
Rio Grande de Mindanao being monitored
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is keeping a close watch over the Rio Grande de Mindanao, which had caused massive flooding after it overflowed.
NDRRMC head Benito Ramos said they are removing water lilies immediately after seeing them grow in the area, to make sure water flow is not hindered.
"Ang ginagawa ng local government, (kahit) kaunti pa lang water lily sa Delta Bridge, tanggalin agad para smooth flow ang palutang lutang na hyacinth," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.
He also said there are already plans to have relief goods available in areas likely to be affected by floods.
Source: GMA News