Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 has been raised over parts of extreme northern Luzon on Sunday, July 4, due to the approaching tropical depression "Emong."
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana and Gonzaga) including Babuyan Islands.
Emong was estimated at 700 kilometers east-northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or 790 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar at around 10 a.m.
It has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness up to 55 kph. It is projected to move northwestward at 25 kph.
PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren said Emong is likely to remain as a tropical depression throughout the forecast period.
"It is forecast to continue moving northwestward until tomorrow morning (July 5) and may traverse over Batanes-Babuyan Islands area between tomorrow evening and Tuesday morning (July 6)," she said.
From a low pressure area (LPA), it has developed into a tropical depression around 8 a.m., Sunday.
Meanwhile, the LPA off Southern Luzon was located in the vicinity of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro around 10 a.m.
It is less likely to develop into a tropical depression within 24 hours but the possibility of development beyond the 24-hour monitoring period is still not ruled out.
PAGASA said the combined effects of the LPA and the southwest monsoon or "habagat" may bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, northern Quezon including Polillo Islands, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Palawan including Calamian Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Antique.
"Under these conditions, isolated flash floods and rain-induced landslides are possible during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," PAGASA warned.