By Brian Campued
The low pressure area (LPA) west of extreme Northern Luzon developed into a tropical depression Wednesday morning and was given the name “Emong,” while “Dante” further intensified into a tropical storm, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Emong was last located 115 km west-northwest of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, and is moving rapidly west-southwestward at 35 kph.
Tropical Depression Emong packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
Due to the Emong’s proximity, PAGASA placed parts of Ilocos Region under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1:
-Ilocos Norte
-Western portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, San Juan, Cabugao, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Narvacan, Santa Maria, San Esteban, Santiago, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin)
-Northwestern portion of La Union (City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bacnotan, Luna, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang)
-Western portion of Pangasinan (Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, City of Alaminos, Mabini, Anda)
In a public briefing, PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said strong winds will immediately be felt in areas under TCWS No. 1 as Emong is already close to Philippine landmass.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dante was monitored 900 km east of extreme Northern Luzon, moving slowly north-northwestward at 15kph. It packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Dante may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) Thursday afternoon or evening, July 24.
“Kung kikilos ang Bagyong Dante pa-hilagang-kanluran, less likely na maapektuhan direclty ang ating mga kababayan dito sa extreme Northern Luzon. So bukod sa hindi siya magla-landfall, maliit din ‘yong tiyansa na magtataas tayo ng mga Wind Signals coming from Dante,” Estareja said.
On the other hand, Emong is forecast to move generally southwestward this Wednesday before looping over the West Philippine Sea on Thursday due to its interaction with Dante.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng looping direction and at the same time habang narito siya sa West Philippine Sea hanggang sa araw ng Friday (July 25), ay posibleng lumakas pa ito bilang isang tropical storm,” Estareja said.
Emong may also reach severe tropical storm strength before its close approach or possible landfall over Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands, or Batanes.
It will also directly impact Northern Luzon, with moderate to heavy rains forecast over Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Apayao until Thursday noon.
Both tropical cyclones will also be enhancing the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing moderate to torrential rains in most parts of Luzon in the next three days.
Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro will experience more than 200 mm of rainfall or “heavy to at times intense and at times torrential rains” until Thursday noon.
Heavy to intense rains will prevail over Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal.
Moderate to heavy rains are likewise forecast over Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Antique, and Iloilo.
Residents in the mentioned areas are warned of possible widespread flooding and landslides.
-jpv
