MANILA, July 4 (PNA) — At least 17 areas in Luzon are now under public storm warning signals as tropical storm “Egay” slightly accelerated and moves closer to Northern Luzon, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday.
In its 11 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that public storm warning signal no. 2 (with winds 61-120 kph Expected in 24 hrs.) has been raised in the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Cagayan and northern Aurora
The impacts of the wind will be the the following:
• Light to moderate damage to high-risk structures;
• Very light to light damage to medium-risk structures;
• No damage to very light damage to low-risk structures;
• Unshielded, old dilapidated schoolhouses, makeshift shanties, and other structures of light materials are partially damaged or unroofed.
• A number of nipa and cogon houses may be partially or totally unroofed.
• Some old galvanized iron (G.I.) roofs may be peeled or blown off.
• Some wooden, old electric posts are tilted or downed.
• Some damage to poorly constructed signs/billboards
• In general, the winds may bring light to moderate damage to the exposed communities. Most banana plants, a few mango trees, ipil-ipil and similar types of trees are downed or broken
• Some coconut trees may be tilted with few others broken
• Rice and corn may be adversely affected and considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some heavy-foliaged trees blown down.
The storm surge possible at coastal areas while the wave height has (Open Sea) 4.1-14.0 meters
Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph, expected in 36 hours) is hoisted over rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Babuyan and Calayan Group of Islands.
The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to occasionally heavy within the 400-km diameter of the tropical storm.
Fisher folk and small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas and the northern seaboard of Mindanao.
Residents in low lying and mountainous areas of Metro Manila, MIMAROPA, CALABARZON and Bicol regions are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
As of 10 a.m. the center of tropical storm “Egay” was 280 km east northeast of Baler, Aurora (16.5°N, 124.1°E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 13 kph.
It is expected to be at 90 km east southeast of Aparri, Cagayan or over the eastern coast of Cagayan by Sunday morning.
By Monday morning is forecast to be in vicinity of Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands and by Tuesday morning expected to be at 220 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes.
On Wednesday morning, it is forecast to be at 570 km north of Basco, Batanes or out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility and by Thursday morning expected to be at 800 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes or outside PAR. (PNA)