The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that tropical cyclone Egay (international name: Doksuri) could unleash torrential rains and destructive winds as it strengthened into a super typhoon ahead of its potential landfall over northern Luzon between Tuesday evening, July 25, and Wednesday afternoon, July 26.

PAGASA, in its bulletin issued at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, said Egay was last spotted 310 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Egay may make landfall or pass very close to Babuyan Islands or the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan between Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon, it said.

However, PAGASA noted that a slight northward or southward shift in Egay’s track may result in a landfall or close approach over the northern portion of mainland Cagayan or Batanes. 

(PAGASA)

Due to the anticipated strong winds from the approaching super typhoon, Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted over Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, northeastern portion of Isabela, and northern portion of Apayao.

Signal No. 2 was also raised over Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and northern and central portions of Aurora.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Metro Manila, La Union, Pangasinan, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, Ticao Island, and Northern Samar.

PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be hoisted will be Signal No. 4 or 5, associated with typhoon-force winds.

Threats of flooding, landslides, storm surges

PAGASA warned that Egay may bring heavy to torrential rains over several parts of Luzon.

On Tuesday, torrential rains (over 200 millimeters) may affect the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.

Intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may also prevail over Ilocos Sur, Abra, northern portion of La Union, western portion of Kalinga, and the rest of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, and Apayao.

Meanwhile, heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may persist in Batanes, northern and eastern portions of Isabela, northern portion of Zambales, and the rest of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

On Wednesday, torrential rains may prevail over Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of Abra and Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains may continue in Batanes, northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan, northern portion of Apayao, and the rest of Abra, and Ilocos Sur.

Heavy rains may also persist in Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, western portions of Kalinga and Mountain Province, northeastern and southwestern portions of mainland Cagayan, and the rest of Apayao.

PAGASA said that Batanes may continue to experience heavy rains on Thursday, July 27.

Furthermore, Egay may cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte due to storm surge.

“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.

Enhanced ‘habagat’

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” enhanced by super typhoon Egay, may continue to bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas in the next three days.

The western portion of the country, particularly the coastal and upland or mountainous areas, may also continue to experience gusty conditions brought on by Egay and the habagat.

PAGASA said Egay will likely be outside the country’s area of responsibility by Thursday.