Heavy rains over parts of Luzon as potential storm nears land

Metro Manila, Philippines - Some parts of Luzon have been alerted with a heavy rainfall warning as a low pressure area (LPA) comes closer to landmass, the weather bureau said on Wednesday, July 2.

On Wednesday, heavy rains are expected over Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, and Isabela due to the LPA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in an advisory.

The LPA has a “high” chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 hours, according to the PAGASA. Once it happens, it will be called “Bising.”

“Dahil malapit sa landmass, ‘pag nabuo bilang isang bagyo o tropical depression, agad-agad magtataas ng tropical cyclone wind signal sa silangang bahagi ng Northern at Central Luzon,” PAGASA weather specialist Loriedin De La Cruz said in its morning forecast.

[Translation: Since it is close to landmass, once the LPA becomes a tropical depression, we will immediately raise a tropical cyclone wind signal over the eastern portions of Northern and Central Luzon.]

“Within the next 24 hours magiging mabagal ang pagkilos nitong LPA at mataas ang tiyansa na lumapit sa kalupaan,” De La Cruz said.

[Translation: Within the next 24 hours, the LPA will have a slow movement and has a high chance of coming closer to landmass.]

As of 3 a.m., the LPA was spotted 235 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela.

The southwest monsoon, or habagat, will affect weather conditions over the remaining parts of the country.