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PAGASA: Tropical Storm Emong intensifies, starts heading for Japan


Tropical Storm Emong (Leepi) slightly intensified as it started heading for the Japan area early Wednesday, state weather forecasters said.
 
But PAGASA forecaster Joey Figuracion warned residents in Luzon of the threat of possible flash floods and landslides that may be triggered by rain brought by Emong.
 
"Itong Emong patuloy narito sa Philippine area of responsibility, bahagya itong lumakas," Figuracion said in an interview on dzBB radio.
 
He said their models show Emong may exit the Philippine area of responsibility as early as Thursday morning and head for Japan.
 
"By Thursday morning inaasahan natin nasa labas ng PAR, papunta na 'yan ng Japan," he said.
 
However, he said PAGASA has also issued a gale warning for the warning western seaboard of Luzon.
 
This covers the area from Northern Luzon down to Southern Luzon and Bicol, he said.
 
As of 4 a.m. Wednesday, PAGASA said Emong was estimated at 420 km east of Basco, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
 
It said Emong is forecast to move north at 19 kph.
 
Flash floods, landslides
 
"Luzon will experience cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rain showers and thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
 
It added Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao and Caraga will have cloudy skies with "light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms."
 
The rest of Mindanao will be "partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms," it said.
 
PAGASA also said moderate to strong winds from the southwest will prevail throughout the archipelago and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough. —KG, GMA News
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