MANILA, July 3 (PNA) — Tropical storm “Egay” has maintained its strength and speed while moving closer to extreme Northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that as of 10 a.m., the tropical storm was located at 310 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes (15.6°N, 126.3°E), packed with maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 13 kph.
As this developed, public storm warning signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over the Northern Luzon provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, including the Babuyan Group of Islands.
The potential impacts of the winds under signal No. 1 are the following:
• No damage to high risk structures.
• Light damage to medium to low risk structures.
• Slight damage to some houses of very light materials or makeshift structures in exposed communities.
• Some banana plants are tilted, a few downed and leaves are generally damaged.
• Twigs of small trees may be broken.
•Rice crops, however, may suffer significant damage when it is in its flowering stage.
The weather agency said the estimated rainfall amount is moderate to heavy within the 400-km diameter of the tropical storm.
Fisherfolk and small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas and the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. The wave height in open sea is 1.25-4.0 meters.
Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas of Bicol region and Samar provinces are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
PAGASA said that with its present speed and movement, TS “Egay” is expected to make landfall in Batanes on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
“Egay” is expected to be at 260 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan by Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, it is forecast to be at 145 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan and in the vicinity of Basco, Batanes by Monday morning.
It is expected to be at 160 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday morning and at 330 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes by Wednesday morning. (PNA)