By Brian Campued
Severe Tropical Storm Emong intensified into a typhoon Thursday morning as it continues to cross the West Philippine Sea towards Ilocos Region, the state weather bureau said.
As of 10:00 a.m., Emong was located 220 km west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and is moving slowly south-southeastward.
The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near its center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 over the northern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, and Bani), the western portion of La Union (Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Bauang, Caba, and Bangar), and the southwestern portion of Ilocos Sur (San Esteban, Santiago, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, and Tagudin).
TCWS No. 2 is raised in:
- Ilocos Norte
- Rest of Ilocos Sur
- Rest of La Union
- Central portion of Pangasinan
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Abra
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Benguet
- Babuyan Islands
- Northern and western portion of mainland Cagayan
- Western portion of Nueva Vizcaya
TCWS No. 1 is also hoisted in:
- Batanes
- Rest of Cagayan
- Western and central portions of Isabela
- Rest of Nueva Vizcaya
- Quirino
- Rest of Pangasinan
- Northern and central portions of Zambales
- Tarlac
- Western and central portions of Nueva Ecija
“Base sa pinakahuling track nitong Bagyong Emong, possible na magtaas tayo ng hanggang [Wind] Signal No. 4 given na typhoon intensity na ito[ng bagyo],” PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said in a public briefing.
Estareja said Emong may still slightly intensify prior to its forecast landfall over Ilocos Sur–Ilocos Norte between late Thursday or early Friday, July 25. Due to the forecast’s cone of probability, the center of Emong may closely approach the northern portion of Pangasinan.
After passing over the terrain of northwestern Luzon, Emong is forecast to rapidly weaken into tropical depression in the next 48 hours.
“Magiging mabilis ‘yong pagkilos ng bagyo and at the same time malaki ‘yong impluwensiya ng pagdaan dito sa may Northern Luzon. Kaya naman from severe tropical storm bukas ng umaga (July 25), possible na mabilis itong hihina pa bilang isang tropical depression,” he said, adding that Emong may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon, July 26.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dante was last located 735 km east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, and is moving north-northwestward at 30 kph. It packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Dante may exit the PAR on Thursday afternoon or evening.
-jpv
