By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday reported they are presently monitoring a storm brewing outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility that will likely to enter over the weekend.

Based on data provided by PAGASA as of 2:00 p.m. yesterday, the low pressure area was last located 1,910 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 60 kph.

The storm is presently moving west at 20 kph and could make landfall at the eastern part of Mindanao on Monday or Tuesday if the storm maintains its current track and speed.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) head, Dr. Zeaphard Caelian, said the province could expect rains sometime between Sunday or Monday, which he said will bring some relief from the heat caused by El Niño.

According to AccuWeather, El Niño is a climate pattern that raises sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Such a system can contribute to drought conditions due to reduced rainfall.

Caelian said, based on projected models from European and American weather services, the storm will likely develop into a tropical depression and there is a chance it could pass over the southern part of Negros Occidental, which has been hard hit by the ongoing dry spell.

Despite the relief, however, PDRRMO is still cautioning the public over possible flash flooding and landslides caused by the storm should it pass over the province.

Once the storm enters the country, Caelian said the tropical depression will be given the name “Chedeng.”/DGB, WDJ