The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said they are closely monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), which they believe may bring rains throughout the Visayas beginning on Friday, throughout the weekend, and possibly on Christmas Day.

According to PAGASA, there are two possible scenarios, either the system makes landfall near the Visayas-Mindanao area before Christmas day or is redirected towards Japan; with either option expected to bring rains to the area.

Based on a weather bulletin issued yesterday, the LPA was last spotted 975 kilometers east of Mindanao and forecasted to enter the PAR yesterday.

If it were to develop into a tropical depression, the LPA would be named Vinta.

Earlier, Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Zeaphard Caelian said they remain on heightened alert as they monitor the latest weather disturbance./DGB, WDJ