Emong moving away from Batanes; Signal No. 1 remains over three areas

Tropical Storm Emong continues to move away from Batanes as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains over three areas, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 7 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Emong was located 195 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes. It has maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near the center and a gustiness of up to 105 kilometers per hour.

Emong is moving north northeastward at 40 kilometers per hour, PAGASA added.

Meanwhile, the following areas are placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

• Batanes
• Babuyan Islands
• northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

PAGASA said that Emong will accelerate north northeastward and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.

“Emong will continue to weaken throughout the forecast period due to increasing unfavorable environment. It will likely degenerate into a remnant low tomorrow evening while entering the East China Sea. However, a slightly faster weakening trend is not ruled out,” the state weather bureau said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News