Emong weakens; Batanes under Signal No. 1

Tropical Storm Emong slightly weakens as it continues to move away from the country, according to PAGASA's 11 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin.

The province of Batanes remains the only area under Signal No. 1.

The center of EMONG was estimated 260 kilometers East Northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving Northeastward at 35 kilometers per hour.  It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Emong is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday morning.

PAGASA said the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over several areas over the weekend in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Quezon, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Northern Samar, and Negros Occidental.

"Emong will continue to weaken throughout the forecast period due to increasing unfavorable environment. It will likely degenerate into a remnant low tomorrow evening or Sunday (27 July) morning while entering the East China Sea. However, a slightly faster weakening trend is not ruled out," PAGASA said. —LDF, GMA Integrated News