A low pressure area (LPA) near Eastern Samar will bring light to heavy rains and thunderstorms, especially in the afternoon or evening, in the next five days, the weather bureau said.
But it is not likely to develop into a storm, said Engr. Al Quiblat, chief meteorological officer of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Mactan.
“Based on our analysis, there is little chance for the LPA to develop into a storm. The ocean temperature needs to be at least 26 degree Celsius,” Quiblat said.
As of 6 p.m. yesterday, Quiblat said the LPA was spotted near Guiuan, Eastern Samar. A low pressure area is normal during the rainy season.
Intense rain for about an hour yesterday caused urban flooding in parts of Mandaue City.
Flood-prone A.S. Fortuna Street had chest-deep floodwater near a funeral parlor.
Many motorists and commuters were stranded.
In barangays Subangdaku and Tipolo, traffic slowed to a crawl as knee-deep water submerged the streets.
The water receded after a few hours.
Quiblat said the weather station recorded 32 millimeters of rainfall in just an hour and five minutes of rain yesterday.
Based on Pagasa’s rainfall warning system, more than 30 millimeters of rain for at least an hour is torrential and serious flooding may be expected in low-lying areas. This could cause landslides.
Rainfall volume of 7.5 to 15 mm is considered heavy while 15 to 30 mm is considered intense.
Felix Suico Jr., Mandaue city disaster officer, said they have coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 6th District Engineering Office on the flooding problem.
DPWH said that ongoing drainage and road repair projects in Mandaue city will address flooding.
Several public works contracts are due for completion in January 2016.
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