Pagasa: ALPA off Luzon may become cyclone

MANILA, Philippines - State weather forecasters are closely monitoring an active low-pressure area (ALPA) off Northeast Luzon that they said may intensify into a cyclone.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Thursday the ALPA may trigger flash floods and landslides over western Luzon.

"Maari itong maging bagyong tropikal [It may intensify into a tropical cyclone]," Pagasa forecaster Elvie Enriquez said on dzBB radio.

Earlier, Pagasa said the weather disturbance would be named "Feria" if it becomes a cyclone.

But dzXL radio reported that Pagasa chief Prisco Nilo said that should the ALPA become a cyclone, it would likely head for Taiwan.

Pagasa said that as of 2 a.m., the ALPA was estimated at 170 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 200 km south southeast of Basco, Batanes.

"Luzon and the Visayas will experience monsoon rains that may trigger flash floods and landslides over the western section of Luzon. The rest of the country will be partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening,"
Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the south and southwest with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms. - GMANews.TV