PAGASA warns flash floods, landslides still possible in several areas

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 22) — The state weather bureau on Wednesday warned of possible flash floods or landslides in the Visayas, Mindanao, and some parts of Luzon due to heavy rains.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its daily weather forecast that the shear line is affecting the eastern sections of Southern Luzon and the Visayas. The Northeast Monsoon or 'amihan' season is affecting the rest of Luzon, while localized thunderstorms are affecting Mindanao.

PAGASA added that the Visayas, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Quezon, and Zamboanga Peninsula will be having cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms caused by the shear line, which could result in more possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Cloudy skies with light rains caused by the northeast monsoon will be felt in Cagayan Valley, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will be felt in the rest of Mindanao caused by localized thunderstorms that may result in possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued more than 400 residents in Catarman, Northern Samar amid the flooding that started last week.

The PCG on Wednesday said there were about 80 families rescued in the villages of Macagtas, Molave, Yakal, Narra, and Ipil-ipil.

At the moment, rescue operations and evacuations are still ongoing in the municipalities of Biri, Palapag, and San Jose in Northern Samar.

The local government placed Northern Samar under a state of calamity on Tuesday following incessant rains that resulted in flooding and damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

READ: Flood-hit Northern Samar under state of calamity

In Eastern Visayas, floods continued on Monday due to the incessant rains brought by the shear line that has been affecting the region and other parts of the country.

READ: Floods continue to affect Eastern Visayas areas; LGUs suspend classes, work

One town in Eastern Samar also said