THE Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday said the country will remain storm-free in the next two to three days but with rains in Mindanao and Visayas due to the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).
Pagasa weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said the agency has monitored a weather disturbance outside the Philippine area but it is too far and not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone within the next three days.
He said the agency expect one to two tropical cyclones to affect the country this month.
Aurelio said until weekend that most parts of the country, Visayas and Mindanao, will experience cloudy skies with rains due to the ITCZ, the dominant weather system affecting the country.
The ITCZ affecting Mindanao, which is the thick clouds coming from the south of Asia, is considered a breeding ground for low-pressure areas (LPAs) or potential cyclones.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the flashfloods that hit Region 12 on Wednesday and Thursday rose to four, disaster officials said.
Five other civilians were injured in flash floods and landslides while more than 4,000 families have been affected, according to the report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD-12).
Jerome Barranco, OCD-12 assistant regional director, said senior citizens Nonoy Ga, 74, his wife Monita Ga, 71; and Diron Tamarang, 70, all from Tupi, South Cotabato. They were buried alive in a landslide that followed after an overnight heavy downpour.
Anita Ochova, 63, of Glan, Saranggani also died during the calamity.
Region 12, also known as Soccsksargen region, is composed of the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Saranggani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and Gen. Santos.
OCD identified the wounded Jay Argal, 24 of Tulunan, North Cotabato, Jojit Mangisel of Koronadal City, Mercy Magbanua, 27 and Kathlyn Magbanua, one year old of Tupi, South Cotabato and Cristy Ochova, 31 of Glan, Sarangani province.
At least 10 towns, one city and 43 villages have been submerged by floods which came left as fast as it came following heavy rain on Tuesday night.
The OCD reported that at least 40 houses were totally damaged by rampaging flood waters, five flood control dikes destroyed and nine bridges totally and partially damaged.
The local governments are still assessing the situation for the possibility of putting the affected areas under state of calamity. –pna
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