Signal No. 1 up over 4 areas as Emong moves closer to Ilocos Region

Tropical Cycle Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is raised over four areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Emong may make landfall over Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands, or Batanes, state weather bureau PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1: 

• Ilocos Norte
• The western portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, San Juan, Cabugao, Santo Domingo, Magsingal, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Narvacan, Santa Maria, San Esteban, Santiago, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin)
• The northwestern portion of La Union (City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bacnotan, Luna, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang)
• The western portion of Pangasinan (Dasol, Burgos, Agno, Bani, Bolinao, City of Alaminos, Mabini, Anda)

Emong was last spotted 115 km west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

The tropical depression was moving West Southwestward at 35 kph.

“EMONG is forecast to move generally southwestward today before looping over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow (24 July) due to its interaction with Tropical Storm DANTE. Afterwards, it will move generally northeastward while accelerating and pass close to Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands and Batanes,” PAGASA said.

“On the track forecast, a landfall scenario over Ilocos Region, Babuyan Islands, and/or Batanes remains possible, especially if there are eastward shifts in the track forecast,” it added.

Dante

In its 11 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Habagat, which was enhanced by Dante and Emong, will bring over 200 millimeters of heavy rainfall in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro from Wednesday to Thursday.

Dante intensified into a tropical storm from being a tropical depression on Wednesday morning.

Emong has maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gustiness of 55 kph and was moving west southwest at 35 kph.

Rainfall from 100-200 mm is expected over Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal.

Habagat may also cause 50-100 mm of rainfall in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Antique, and Iloilo.

Meanwhile, Emong will bring 50-100 mm of rainfall over Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Apayao.

“Forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. Moreover, impacts in some areas may be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.

“The public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” it added.

Another LPA located 2,340 km east of Eastern Visayas also has a high chance of becoming a tropical depression, according to PAGASA.

Impact

Twelve people were reported dead due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Citing information from PNP public information office chief Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad reported on Dobol B TV that most of the reported deaths were recorded in Calabarzon with five.

This was followed by Negros Island Region with three.

One fatality was reported each in Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARRM).

The victims died due to drowning and falling trees. 

Meanwhile, Makalalad said that based on the same information, nine people were reported missing and seven others were reported injured.

The information from the PNP is up for validation by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

1.4 million affected

According to the NDRRMC, tropical Cyclone Crising, the Southwest Monsoon, and a low pressure area (LPA) affected over 1.4 million people in the country.

In its 6 a.m. report on July 23, the NDRRMC said a total of 1,412,845 people or 401,439 families were affected by the bad weather in all regions except for Eastern Visayas.

Floods, landslides, collapsed structures, and tornadoes were reported in the affected areas.

The region with the most number of affected individuals was Central Luzon with 616,611, followed by Negros Island Region with 166,335 and Ilocos Region with 157,730.

Of the total affected population, 77,108 people or 21,207 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 64,597 people or 13,724 families were taking shelter in other places.

Damage to the following sectors was estimated at:

    infrastructure — P562,387,772
    agriculture — P132,959,122
    irrigation systems — P329,885,003

A total of 1,642 houses were damaged—1,280 partially and 362 totally.

Classes and government work have also been suspended on Wednesday. The bad weather also caused flight cancellations. —VAL, GMA Integrated News