‘Emong’ prompts Signal 1 in parts of Ilocos Region; ‘Dante’ intensifies into tropical storm

Metro Manila, Philippines - Wind Signal 1 has been raised over parts of Ilocos Region due to Tropical Depression Emong, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday, July 23, as Tropical Storm Dante gains strength.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the following areas may experience 39 to 61 kilometers per hour (kph) of wind speeds:

+ Ilocos Norte

+ western portion of Ilocos Sur

+ northwestern portion of La Union

+ western portion of Pangasinan

As of 10 a.m., “Emong” was seen 115 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, moving west southwestward. It packs 45 kph maximum sustained winds and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

“Emong” is anticipated to dump up to 100 millimeters of rain over Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Apayao.

Based on PAGASA’s forecast, “Emong” may make landfall over Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands, and/or Batanes.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Dante–last monitored 900 kilometers east of extreme northern Luzon–intensified into a tropical storm. It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80kph.

PAGASA said Dante has no direct effect on the country, but it may strengthen the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat.

“Dante” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday afternoon or evening.

The habagat, meanwhile, will continue to bring rains over several parts of the country.

More than 200 millimeters of monsoon rains may be dumped over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal may experience up to 200 millimeters of rain.

PAGASA advised that up to 100 millimeters of rainfall is expected over:

+ Nueva Vizcaya

+ Ifugao

+ Mountain Province

+ Nueva Ecija

+ Quezon

+ Occidental Mindoro

+ Palawan

+ Marinduque

+ Romblon

+ Masbate

+ Sorsogon

+ Albay

+ Camarines Sur

+ Catanduanes

+ Antique

+ Iloilo