STATE forecasters on Sunday warned that flash floods and landslides threaten Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao, as rain looms over several parts of the country because of a low-pressure area (LPA) found along the inter-tropical convergence zone.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) the LPA was estimated at 570 kilometer east of Visayas as of 8 a.m., embedded along the Inter-tropical convergence zone.

“Both weather systems will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Central and Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. However, widespread rains expected over the Eastern Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa said in its advisory.

It advised the disaster coordinating councils to monitor the development of this weather disturbance.

Earlier, Pagasa forecaster Gener Quitlong said the LPA has a good chance of becoming a cyclone.

Quitlong said their models show the LPA may become a cyclone in the next few days.

Should the LPA become a cyclone while inside Philippine territory, it will be locally codenamed “Mina.”