The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed more areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 1 and 2, as typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) continued to rapidly intensify on Monday, July 24.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Egay has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph, up from 120 kph and 150 kph, respectively, in its previous bulletin.

Due to the anticipated strong winds from the approaching typhoon, Signal No. 2 was hoisted over the southeastern portion of Isabela and northeastern portion of Catanduanes.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was raised in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, northern portion of Pangasinan, Aurora, northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija, northern and southeastern portions of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, the rest of Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran.

Based on the current forecast scenario, the highest wind signal that may be hoisted will be Signal No. 4 or 5, which is associated with typhoon-force winds.

Between late Tuesday, July 25, and early Wednesday, July 26, Egay may continue to strengthen and become a super typhoon with winds exceeding 185 kph, PAGASA said.

“However, should the track forecast shift closer to the landmass of Luzon, the typhoon may peak at an intensity just below the super typhoon threshold. Nevertheless, Egay is forecast to become a very strong typhoon,” it pointed out.

Landfall still possible

As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said the typhoon was last spotted 565 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, and is moving westward at 15 kph.

After a brief period of westward or west-northwestward track, Egay may move northwestward and head closer to the landmass of Northern Luzon towards the Luzon Strait.

“On the track forecast, this typhoon is forecast to cross the Luzon Strait and make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area between tomorrow late evening (July 25) and Wednesday afternoon (July 26),” PAGASA said.

“It must be emphasized that further shift in the track forecast closer to Luzon remains a possibility due to the persistence of the ridge of high pressure north of the typhoon. This is represented by the forecast confidence cone. As such, a landfall over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan is not ruled out,” it added.

Egay may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday, July 27.

Heavy rains

PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains over parts of Luzon in the next few days.

On Monday, Catanduanes, the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, and the northern portion of Camarines Norte may experience heavy rains (50-100 millimeters).

On Tuesday, July 25, torrential rains (over 200 millimeters) are expected in the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, while intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may prevail over the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, western portion of Abra, and northern portion of Apayao.

Meanwhile, heavy rains may affect Batanes, northern and eastern portions of Isabela, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Abra, Kalinga, western portion of Mountain Province, Benguet, La Union, and western portion of Pangasinan.

On Wednesday, July 26, torrential rains may prevail over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte, while intense rains may persist in the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, Abra, and Ilocos Sur.

Heavy rains may also affect the rest of mainland Cagayan, Kalinga, the western portion of Mountain Province, Benguet, La Union, and Pangasinan.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Egay, may also bring significant rains over the next three days, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

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