Flashfloods and landslides threaten Mindanao due to the rains brought by a low-pressure area (LPA), the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Forecaster Bernie de Leon said that as of 10 a.m. the LPA was spotted 350 kilometers east of Davao City and still embedded along the inter-tropical convergence zone affecting Visayas and Mindanao.

De Leon said that with this weather system, they expect moderate to heavy rains (5.0 to15.0 mm/hr) and thunderstorms to the Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao, particularly over the Eastern Visayas, Caraga Region, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga del Norte province and may trigger flash- floods and landslides.

He said that residents in these areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

He said that the LPA has small chance to turn into tropical cyclone but the agency continues to monitor this weather disturbance.

But once it develops into tropical depression, de Leon said that the first storm of the month would be locally named Pablo, the 16th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

He said that Pagasa is expecting two to three more storms that may affect the county this month.