By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As Tropical Depression Luis weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) before eventually dissipating, another LPA being monitored west of La Union developed into Tropical Depression Maymay on Tuesday night.
According to PAGASA’s 8:00 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, Maymay intensified into a Tropical Storm and was last located 170 km west of Bacnotan, La Union, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of 80 kph as it slowly moves westward.
Due to its proximity to the northern Luzon landmass, the state weather bureau hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in the following areas, which may experience gale-force winds over the next 24 hours:
- Central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santiago, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Suyo, Sigay, San Ildefonso, Galimuyod, Quirino, City of Vigan, San Emilio, Caoayan, Alilem, San Juan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Sugpon, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan, and Salcedo)
- Northern and central portions of La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, and Balaoan)
- Northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, and Bani)
- Southwestern portion of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, Langiden, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tubo, Villaviciosa, Pilar, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, San Quintin, Bangued, and Bucay)
- Western portion of Mountain Province (Besao and Tadian)
- Northwestern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, and Bakun)
TCWS No. 1 is also raised over the following areas, which may experience 39-61 kph winds over the next 36 hours:
- Ilocos Norte
- Rest of Ilocos Sur
- Rest of La Union
- Rest of Pangasinan
- Apayao
- Rest of Abra
- Kalinga
- Rest of Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Rest of Benguet
- Cagayan
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Northern portion of Zambales (Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Masinloc, and Palauig)
- Northern portion of Tarlac (Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, and Pura)
- Northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, and Pantabangan)
- Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, and Dipaculao)
PAGASA likewise issued a gale warning advisory for the western seaboard of Northern Luzon (Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan), noting rough to very rough seas that can generate waves 2.8-4.5m high.
The state weather bureau likewise advises fisherfolk and owners of small marine vessels to exercise caution when venturing into open water, due to rough seas over the following coastal areas:
- Up to 3.5 m: The seaboard of Zambales; the eastern seaboards of Bataan and Lubang Island.
- Up to 3.0 m: The northern seaboard of Batanes; the eastern seaboard of southern Ilocos Norte; the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental.
Maymay is expected to maintain its eastward trajectory and may make landfall over Ilocos Sur or La Union by afternoon or evening, before crossing the landmass of Northern and Central Luzon until Thursday (Aug. 6).
The weather system is also forecast to maintain its strength as it nears the Philippine landmass, before weakening into a tropical depression on Thursday morning.
PAGASA, moreover, urged the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices to facilitate preparations, implement salient protocols, and continue monitoring further developments issued by the state weather bureau.
Meanwhile, the typhoon with the international name “Dolphin” remains in the Tropical Cyclone Information Domain (TCID) and is being monitored by the agency outside of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
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