Signal No. 1 still up over Batanes, Cagayan as Emong gathers speed

Tropical Depression Emong has accelerated as it continued to approach the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area, PAGASA said Monday afternoon.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the weather agency said the center of Emong was located 215 kilometers east northeast of Calayan, Cagayan or 160 km east southeast of Basco, Batanes at 4 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness up to 702 kph. It is moving northwestward at 45 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) including Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA said Emong is forecasted to pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Batanes-Babuyan Islands between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night.

From Monday to Tuesday morning, PAGASA said Emong will 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 said.

"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.

Areas under TCWS No. 1 will also experience strong winds during the passage of Emong.

Further, rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 5.5 meters) will prevail over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No. 1 and the remaining seaboard of Cagayan.

"Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for those using small seacrafts. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

Emong is forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday early morning.—LDF, GMA News