By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan
MANILA, July 5 (PNA) — Tropical storm “Egay” has weaken slightly after crossing Northern Luzon, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Sunday.
PAGASA weather forecaster Jori Loiz said that as of 5 p.m. the center of Tropical Storm “Egay” was located at 70 km Southwest of Laoag, Ilocos Norte (17.9°N, 120.0°E).
Loiz said the maximum sustained winds of the tropical storm was decrease 95 kph near the center to 85 kph while its gustiness also decrease from 120 kph to 100 kph.
He added it is forecast to move Northwest at 9 kph, and with continues of movement and speed it is expected to make landfall in Batanes on Sunday evening.
Loiz also said it is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday headed towards Taiwan.
Loiz said that Public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120 kph winds is expected in 24 hrs.) has been raised in Luzon over the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra.
The potential impacts of the winds under signal no.2 were 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
• Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some heavy-foliaged trees blown down.
The storm surge possible at coastal areas with 9pen Sea Wave Height: 4.1-14.0m
The Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is hoisted over in Luzon are the provinces of Pangasinan, Isabela, Benguet, La Union, Mt. Province and Ifugao.
The potential impacts of the winds under signal no.1 are the following:
• Very light or 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 Open Sea Wave Height is 1.25-4.0 meters.
Residents in mountainous and low lying areas of the provinces under PSWS #1 & 2 as well as of the rest of Northern and Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.
The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km diameter of the severe tropical storm.
Fisherfolk and small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas.
He said that most parts of Luzon including Metro Manila will continues to experience rains due to southwest monsoon enhance by tropical storm Egay.
Meanwhile, PAGASA also issued heavy rainfall advisory in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces due to Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm Egay
PAGASA issued a “yellow” rainfall warning in Batangas, Bataan, Cavite and Zambales at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Under the heavy rainfall warning system, a yellow rainfall advisory is raised when the expected rainfall amount is between 7.5 mm and 15 mm within one hour and likely to continue.
Communities given this advisory are advised to be aware of the weather condition and warned that flooding may be possible in low-lying areas.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rains affecting Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and portion of Bulacan, Pampanga, Quezon may persist within 3 hours.
The state-run weather bureau also issued a gale warning due to the effects of Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Tropical Storm “Egay” as the sea condition will be rough to very rough due to strong gale force winds and expected to affect the seaboard of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon and the seaboards of Visayas.
”Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves,” it warned. (PNA)