The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 over Santa Ana, Cagayan on Tuesday, July 25, as super typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) continues to threaten Northern Luzon.

PAGASA in its 11 a.m. bulletin said Egay was last spotted 270 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Due to the anticipated strong winds from the approaching super typhoon, Signal No. 4 was hoisted over Santa Ana, Cagayan, while Signal No. 3 was raised over Babuyan Islands, northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan, northeastern portion of Isabela, and northern portion of Apayao.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 remains hoisted 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 the northern and central portion of Aurora.

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, and Ticao Island were placed under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said wind warnings may be raised to Signal No. 5 as Egay moves closer to Northern Luzon.

(PAGASA)

Landfall or close approach by Tuesday evening

PAGASA said Egay may continue to move northwestward in the next 12 hours, then turn west-northwestward before crossing the Luzon Strait.

It may make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands or the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, July 26.

However, PAGASA warned 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.

“After passing the Babuyan Islands, Egay will turn northwestward or north-northwestward and pass over the waters south of Taiwan. It is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday morning (Juy 27),” it said.

Heavy rains due to Egay, ‘habagat’

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

From Tuesday to Wednesday noon, torrential rains (over 200 millimeters) may affect the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains (100-200 millimeters) may prevail over the northern portion of La Union and the western portion of Kalinga, while heavy rains (50-100 millimeters) may prevail over Isabela, northern portion of Zambales, and the rest of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

From Wednesday noon to Thursday noon, torrential rains may prevail over Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portions of Abra and Ilocos Sur.

Intense rains may continue in Batanes, the 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 until Thursday evening.

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

“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.

Storm surge, rough seas

PAGASA also advised residents in low-lying and coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte to exercise extra caution due to the “high risk” of storm surge, which could cause flooding in vulnerable areas.

Under the influence of Egay, a gale warning is also in effect over several coastal waters along the seaboards of Luzon, Visayas, and northeastern Mindanao. 

PAGASA advised mariners to seek safe harbor or remain in port until winds and waves subside in areas where rough to high or very high seas are anticipated.

Meanwhile, sea travel in rough seas poses risks for small vessels, while larger vessels require experience and properly equipped vessels.

PAGASA advised mariners without proper experience or ill-equipped vessels to stay in port or seek safe harbor.

Egay may also bring moderate to rough seas over the coastal waters outside the gale warning area along the western, northern, and eastern seaboards of Mindanao in the next 24 hours.

“Mariners of small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing over these waters. If inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels, avoid navigating in these conditions,” PAGASA said.