PAGASA: Weather disturbance may become cyclone in 24 to 48 hours

An active low-pressure area (ALPA) east of the Visayas area is likely to intensify into a cyclone in the next 24 to 48 hours, state weather forecasters said before noon Thursday. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also said the ALPA continued to move closer to Eastern Visayas. In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said the LPA was estimated at 330 km east of Borongan, Eastern Samar as of 8 a.m., embedded along the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). "It is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next 24 to 48 hours," PAGASA said. Should the ALPA become a cyclone, it will be codenamed "Ambo," the first cyclone in the Philippines for 2012. PAGASA warned residents in Visayas and Northeast Mindanao of possible flash floods and landslides due to the rain brought by the ALPA. It said the ALPA and ITCZ will bring cloudy skies with scattered to widespread rain in Visayas and Northeastern Mindanao. "Residents living in low-lying areas and along mountain slopes are advised to be on alert for possible occurrence of flash floods and landslides," it said. Meanwhile, PAGASA forecaster Cris Perez said the rainy season may start between this week and the first week of June. "Papunta na tayo sa period na yan. Anytime this week or next week asahan na natin (We are now heading towards the rainy season. We can expect it to start anytime this week or next week)," Perez said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said this jibes with their earlier pronouncements the rainy season may start between the second half of May and the second week of June. — LBG, GMA News