MANILA – Waterways in the Bicol Region and Northern Samar province in Eastern Visayas may overflow due to rains from the tail-end of a frontal system (TEFS), raising the risk of flooding in these areas.
"TEFS rain can increase water in those waterways so there is a possibility for these channels to overflow," Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Aileen Abelardo said in an interview Thursday.
She said concerned communities must brace for floods from the overflow of these waterways and landslides caused by heavy rains.
On Thursday, PAGASA said TEFS would bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to areas in the Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and the provinces of Northern Samar and Quezon.
Some of these thunderstorms may bring moderate to heavy rainfall that may trigger either flash floods or landslides, according to PAGASA weather forecaster Ariel Rojas.
He said TEFS will likely affect these areas until Saturday.
PAGASA said the waterways in the Bicol Region that are likely to be affected by the effects of bad weather are the rivers in Daet, Labo and Basud in Camarines Norte; the tributaries in Lower Kilbay Catabangan, Ragay, Tinalmud, Tambang and Lagonoy in Camarines Sur; the rivers of Lower Donsol, Ogod, Putiao, Cadacan, Banuang-Daan, Fabrica (Tugbugan) and Matnog in Sorsogon; Albay's Guinale and Upper Donsol and Masbate’s Lanang, Mapayawan, Mandaon, Asid, Malbug, Guiom, Nainday, Daraga, Nauco (Aguada) and Baleno.
Rains from the TEFS may also particularly affect Northern Samar towns of Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mawo and Gamay, PAGASA added.
Abelardo added that Northern Samar waterways may also be affected by overflow as the concentration of rains from the TEFS is in Eastern Visayas's northern portion.
Abelardo, however, said she sees a less chance of an overflow of waterways in other TEFS-affected areas.
"The expected rain there may not be enough to cause overflows," she said. (PNA)
