PAGASA raises Signal No. 1 as 'Egay' further intensifies
Published Jul 23, 2023 10:10 am
Tropical cyclone wind signal No.1 was raised in the eastern portions of Luzon and Visayas on Sunday afternoon, July 23, as severe tropical storm Egay (international name: Doksuri) continues to intensify, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Egay has maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph.
Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Sur, northern portion of Aurora, eastern portion of Isabela, eastern portion of Cagayan, northern portion of Eastern Samar, and eastern portion of Northern Samar in anticipation of strong breeze to near-gale strength winds from the approaching storm.
“Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said.
Based on the current forecast scenario, PAGASA said that Signal No. 3 or 4—possibly over extreme Northern Luzon—will be the highest wind signal that may be raised.
“However, should a southward shift in the track occur, higher wind signals may be hoisted,” it said.
Brace for heavy to torrential rains
PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains to parts of Luzon in the next few days. On Monday, July 24, Cagayan, eastern portion of Isabela, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay may experience heavy rains (50-100 millimeters), while Catanduanes may receive intense rains (100-200 millimeters). On Tuesday, July 25, torrential rains (more than 200 mm) are expected in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, and northern portion of Ilocos Norte, while intense rains may prevail over Apayao, Abra, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and the rest of Cagayan. Meanwhile, Pangasinan, Isabela, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province may experience heavy rains. PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by Egay, may also bring significant rains over the next three days, particularly in Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras. “Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities that experienced considerable amounts of rainfall for the past several days,” PAGASA warned.Rapid intensification, landfall possible
PAGASA last spotted the storm 560 kilometers (km) east of Daet, Camarines Norte at 4 p.m., and it is moving west-northwestward at 10 kph. Egay may move west-northwestward or westward in the next 12 hours, then turn northwestward for the rest of the forecast period. “Although the latest track forecast shows that Egay will remain offshore for most of the forecast period, a close approach or landfall in the vicinity of extreme Northern Luzon is still not ruled out based on the forecast confidence cone,” PAGASA said. “On the track forecast, Egay will be closest to extreme Northern Luzon on Wednesday (July 26) and make landfall over the east coast of Taiwan on Thursday morning (July 27),” it added. However, based on the current and forecast behavior of the ridge of high pressure to the north of Egay, PAGASA said that a “westward shift” in the track forecast is still possible. Furthermore, Egay may intensify into a typhoon with winds of 118 to 185 kph within 24 hours, and may become a super typhoon with winds of over 185 kph on Tuesday, July 25. “Rapid intensification is likely within the next 72 hours due to favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions,” PAGASA said. Egay may leave the country’s area of responsibility on Friday, July 28.