By Brian Campued
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remains hoisted in parts of northern Luzon as “Emong” continues to weaken while crossing the Luzon landmass, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday.
As of 10:00 a.m., Severe Tropical Storm Emong was located in the vicinity of Calanasan, Apayao. It packs maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 160 kph, while moving rapidly north-northeastward at 40 kph.
According to PAGASA Assistant Weather Chief Chris Perez, the northeastern portion of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao, and the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan remain under TCWS No. 3.
TCWS No. 2 is likewise raised over the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the rest of Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, Batanes, and the northern and western portion of mainland Cagayan.
TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the rest of Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union, the rest of Abra, the northern portion of Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Isabela.
Emong first made landfall in the vicinity of Agno, Pangasinan at 10:40 p.m. Thursday, followed by another landfall over Candon City, Ilocos Sur at 5:10 a.m. this Friday.
It will pass close to or over Babuyan Islands and Batanes Friday afternoon or early evening and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning, July 26.
“Inaasahan din natin na from severe tropical storm category ay bahagya itong hihina into a tropical storm dahil nga sa patuloy na interaction with the landmass of the northern Luzon area,” Perez said.
However, Emong, Tropical Storm Francisco (formerly Dante), and Tropical Storm Krosa, which is outside of the PAR, are still enhancing the southwest monsoon (habagat)—bringing heavy rains over most of Luzon.
“Inaasahan nga natin na ngayon hanggang bukas ng tanghali ay posibleng may malalakas na pag-ulan—more than 200mm of rain—dito nga sa Ilocos Region at maging dito sa bandang Benguet at sa Occidental Mindoro,” Perez said.
Heavy to intense rains are also forecast over Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Cagayan, Apayao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
Moderate to heavy rains will be experienced over the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, as well as parts of Bicol Region and the province of Antique.
-jpv
