TACLOBAN CITY — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration warned on Thursday that the low pressure area near Eastern Samar may trigger flooding in major rivers in the Eastern Visayas region.

The state weather bureau identified several rivers in six provinces that would likely be affected by the downpour — Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; and Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano and Gamay in Northern Samar.

Other rivers include Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga, and Jibatan in Samar; Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan in Southern Leyte; and all river systems in Biliran province.

People living in low-lying areas near these river systems have been advised to stay alert for possible flash floods and those residing near mountain slopes have been told to watch out for signs of landslides.

Several areas in the region have been experiencing rain showers since noon on 27 December due to the weather disturbance and as of early Thursday, the low pressure area was estimated 100 kilometers southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

The state weather bureau released the advisory as several low-lying communities suffered the impact of flooding due to a shear line that affected the region since last week.

At least five persons died while nine others remained missing due to a shear line that affected Leyte and Samar provinces during the holidays, the Philippine National Police said in its 28 December report.