Batanes, Babuyan Islands under Signal No. 2 due to Tropical Storm Emong

Metro Manila, Philippines - Fewer areas in Luzon were placed under wind signals due to Tropical Storm Emong, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday afternoon, July 25.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA raised Signal No. 2 over Batanes and Babuyan Islands, and Signal No. 1 over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and mainland Cagayan.

“Possible mamayang gabi mabawasan pa yong wind signals dito sa may extreme northern Luzon at posibleng matanggal mamayang gabi yong Signal No. 2, downgrading to Signal No. 1,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.

[Translation: It is possible that there will be fewer places in extreme northern Luzon under wind signals by Friday evening. It is also possible that wind Signal No. 2 will be downgraded to Signal No. 1 by Friday evening.]

“Emong” still enhanced the southwest monsoon or habagat, which will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Dinagat Islands.

PAGASA issued a warning for Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Occidental Mindoro of heavy to intense rains due to “Emong” and the habagat.

The weather systems may also dump moderate to heavy rains over Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, and Antique.

“Emong” was last seen over the coastal waters of Sabtang, Batanes after passing close to Babuyan Islands.

It has center winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

The tropical cyclone may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning.

Two other weather systems, Tropical Storm Francisco (formerly Dante) and Tropical Storm Krosa are still being monitored outside PAR.