2 more LPAs expected within PAR next week

MANILA, Philippines —  Two tropical cyclones may form or enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by next week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported 2.1 million Filipinos affected by Tropical Storm Enteng.

The death toll, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), rose to 13 persons – seven from Calabarzon, three from Bicol, two from Central Visayas and one from Western Visayas.

The Philippine Coast Guard and other emergency response agencies also continue to search for 15 persons still listed as missing.

According to PAGASA, the two tropical cyclones will be named Ferdie and Gener, and could possibly be the sixth and seventh weather disturbances to enter PAR.

The first low-pressure area is expected to form east of Luzon and within PAR by the weekend or by Monday and will move northeastward.

It will enhance the southwest monsoon but will not make landfall.

The second LPA is expected to form by Monday near Guam, move westward and enter PAR as a cyclone. It has a low chance of making landfall in the country.

PAGASA clarified, though, that the forecast tracks could still change.

As of yesterday, the trough of Enteng (international name Yagi) brought scattered rains over Batanes and Babuyan islands.

Monsoon rains are forecast over Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan provinces as well as occasional rains over Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Ilocos region and Central Luzon.

Scattered rains are forecast over Palawan, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon and the rest of Cagayan Valley. The rest of the country may see isolated rains due to localized thunderstorms.

Classes remained suspended in several localities yesterday due to inclement weather caused by Enteng and the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.

While Enteng has already left PAR, heavy downpour was still experienced in large parts of Luzon, including in Metro Manila, prompting several local government units to declare class suspensions in public