SIGNAL NO. 1 UP OVER 3 AREAS

Emong maintains strength as it moves closer to Batanas-Babuyan Islands area

Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan covering Santa Ana and Gonzaga, as well as Babuyan Islands, remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Emong maintained its strength late Monday morning.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Emong continues to move closer toward the Batanas-Babuyan Islands area.

Areas under TCWS No. 1 will be experiencing strong breeze to near gale during the passage of Emong, according to PAGASA.

"However, the projected track and intensity suggests the possibility of hoisting TCWS #2 over portions of the localities presently under TCWS #1," it added.

At 10 a.m. Monday, Emong's eye was estimated based on all available data at 315 km east of Aparri, Cagayan (18.7 °N, 124.6 °E). It was moving west northwestward at 40 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.

PAGASA said from Monday through Tuesday morning, Emong is forecast to bring moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains, over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

"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," PAGASA warned.

Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels, it added.

Emong is forecast to continue moving generally northwestward until Monday night as it approaches the Extreme Northern Luzon-Taiwan area.

The cyclone is seen to pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Batanes-Babuyan Islands area on Monday afternoon or night.

"However, due to the fast movement of the tropical depression, there is an increasing chance that the close approach or landfall will happen at a much earlier time," PAGASA noted.

Emong, which may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, is seen to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Tuesday morning. —KBK, GMA News