Maymay strengthens; Ilocos Sur, La Union landfall seen

Tropical Storm Maymay slightly intensified on Wednesday afternoon, with the state weather bureau PAGASA saying it could make landfall over Ilocos Sur or La Union by Wednesday evening or early Thursday.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Maymay was moving "erratically" over the waters off Ilocos Sur. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 90 kph.

The center of the tropical storm was last estimated at 160 kilometers west-southwest of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. It was moving northeastward slowly, PAGASA said.

"Maymay will move generally eastward and may make landfall over Ilocos Sur or La Union by this evening or early tomorrow morning (August 6). Afterwards, it will traverse the landmass of Northern and Central Luzon until tomorrow," PAGASA said.

The weather bureau said Maymay is expected to maintain tropical storm strength as it approaches the Philippine landmass before weakening into a tropical depression by Thursday morning.

PAGASA also warned that Maymay could still bring overcast skies and heavy rains to areas beyond its landfall area. It may further weaken into a low pressure area after crossing Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA maintained Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 over the following areas:

• Ilocos Sur
• Northern and central portions of La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan)
• Northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani)
• Southwestern portion of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, Langiden, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tubo, Villaviciosa, Pilar, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, San Quintin, Bangued, Bucay, Danglas, La Paz, Tayum, Lagangilang, Dolores, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman, San Juan)
• Western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc)
• Northwestern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Bakun, La Trinidad, Tublay, Atok, Buguias)

— MCG, GMA News