LPA ‘high’ chance to develop into storm

Metro Manila, Philippines - A low pressure area (LPA) has a “high” chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, government meteorologists warned Tuesday, July 22, as parts of the country struggle through heavy rain and floods.

In its outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it was monitoring three LPAs, including the potential tropical cyclone 1,140 kilometers east of central Luzon.

It will be called “Dante” when it is reclassified as a storm, the fourth for the year.

PAGASA said it is also keeping an eye on an LPA near Basco, Batanes, and another outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. Both have “medium” potential of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.

On Tuesday, the bureau alerted a number of localities of possible heavy rainfall:

Intense to torrential rains (>200 mm): Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

Heavy to intense rains (100-200 mm): Pangasinan, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, and Rizal.

Moderate to heavy rains (50-100 mm): Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental.