Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23) — Parts of Luzon and the Visayas are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 after Severe Tropical Storm Egay intensified while moving in a west-northwestward path, according to the latest weather report.
In its 11 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 2 is now hoisted over the northeastern portion of Catanduanes, including the towns of Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, and Gigmoto.
The following areas in Luzon are under Signal No. 1: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ifugao, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, the rest of Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon.
In the Visayas, Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
The storm has gained strength and now has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center. Its gustiness also increased to 150 kph.
It is moving west northwestward at 10 kph, and was last spotted 490 kilometers (kms) east northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, or 620 kms east of Baler, Aurora.
PAGASA said Egay is forecast to reach super typhoon category by Wednesday while passing over the Balintang Channel.
“Interaction with the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon and Southern Taiwan will trigger a period of weakening by late Wednesday as it moves over the waters near Southern Taiwan,” the agency said.
The weather bureau said Egay is seen to enhance the southwest monsoon, or habagat, bringing occasional rains over several areas of the country in the next three days.Heavy rains are expected in Catanduanes in the next two days. Cagayan, the eastern section of Isabela, Polilio Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay are also seen to experience intense rainfall on Monday.Forecast rainfall are generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.
