The Philippine Atmpospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 over the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands on Tuesday afternoon, July 25, as super typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) posed a serious threat to Northern Luzon.
PAGASA in its 2 p.m. bulletin said Egay was last spotted 230 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, or 240 km east of Aparri, Cagayan.
It has maintained its maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.
(PAGASA)
Signal No. 5 was hoisted over Camiguin Island, in the eastern part of Babuyan Islands, due to the anticipated strong winds from the approaching super typhoon.
The rest of Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan were placed under Signal No. 4.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 3 was hoisted over the northeastern portion of Isabela, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, eastern portion of Ilocos Norte, northeastern portion of Kalinga, and Batanes.
Signal No. 2 remains raised over the rest of Isabela, northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino, the rest of Kalinga, northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet, and northern portion of La Union.
Metro Manila, Quezon including Polillo Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Marinduque, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes were placed under Signal No. 1.
“Significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds may be experienced within the areas under Wind Signal No. 4, while moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds may be experienced within the areas under Wind Signal No. 3,” PAGASA said.
“Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 2 is in effect, while minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are also possible within any of the areas where Wind Signal No.1 is hoisted,” it added.
PAGASA said Egay may continue to move northwestward in the next 12 hours, then west-northwestward before crossing the Luzon Strait.
It may make landfall or pass very close to Babuyan Islands or the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning, July 26.
However, PAGASA warned that a 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.
Egay will likely be outside the country’s area of responsibility on Thursday morning, July 27.