TD Emong maintains strength as it approaches Batanes, Babuyan Islands
By Anjannette Bituin
“Under these conditions and considering antecedent rainfall, isolated to scattered flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are highly likely, especially in areas with high or very high susceptibility to these hazards as identified in hazard maps…adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels,” state weather bureau PAGASA said Tropical Depression “Emong” continues to maintain its strength as it moves closer to extreme Northern Luzon on Monday morning July 5, 2021.
As of 10:00 in the morning, Emong was last seen 315 km East of Aparri, Cagayan. It continues to move west northwestward at 40 km per hour, and packs maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near center and with gustiness of up to 70 km per hour.
In its latest bulletin, Pagasa said Emong is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains at times over Batanes and Babuyan Islands until Tuesday morning.
Tropical cyclone wind signal TCWS number 1 remains hoisted over Batanes and northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) including Babuyan Islands.
But Pagasa added that areas under TCWS #1 may experience strong winds during the passage of Emong and the projected track and intensity of the tropical depression suggest that they may raise the storm signal to number 2 over affected areas.
Areas under TCWS #1 will also experience rough to very rough seas over localities’ seaboards and of Cagayan. “Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for those using small seacrafts Mariners without proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor,” it added.
Weather forecasters also said based on forecast track, Emong’s center will pass close or make landfall in area of Batanes-Babuyan Islands any time today, Monday afternoon or evening, although there is increasing chance that this may happen earlier.
Emong may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, although its high movement speed may deter its intensification. It may likely weaken into tropical depression after passing extreme Northern Luzon, Pagasa added.
Emong is seen to exit Philippine area of responsibility on early Tuesday morning, July 6,2021.
On Tuesday morning Emong is expected 355 km Northwest of Itbayat, Batanes
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