THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) in several areas in Luzon and Visayas due to Typhoon Egay (Doksuri).
As of 5 a.m. Monday, July 24, 2023, TCWS Number 2 was raised in the southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue) and northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto).
The following areas were under TCWS number 1:
LUZON
* Batanes
* Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
* Rest of Isabela
* Quirino
* Nueva Vizcaya
* Apayao
* Kalinga
* Abra
* Mountain Province
* Ifugao
* Benguet
* Ilocos Norte
* Ilocos Sur
* La Union
* Northern portion of Pangasinan (Natividad, San Nicolas, San Quintin, Sison, Pozorrubio, San Manuel, San Fabian, Anda, Bolinao, San Jacinto, Manaoag, Laoac, Binalonan, Asingan, Tayug, Santa Maria, Umingan, Dagupan City, Mangaldan)
* Aurora
* Northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, Gabaldon, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City)
* Northern and southeastern portions of Quezon (Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Calauag, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, General Nakar, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, Tagkawayan) including Polillo Islands
* Camarines Norte
* Camarines Sur
* Rest of Catanduanes
* Albay
* Sorsogon
* Masbate
VISAYAS
* Northern Samar
* Eastern Samar
* Samar
* Biliran
Egay was last spotted at 565 kilometers (km) east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 140 km per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 170 km/h, and central pressure of 965 hPa. It was moving westward at 15 km/h.
Egay was expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon (habagat), which may bring occasional to monsoon rains over the western portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas in the next three days.
Egay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon may also bring gusty conditions over several areas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, other parts of Visayas, the northern portions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and Caraga, said Pagasa.
The typhoon was expected to make landfall or pass very close to Babuyan Island-Batanes area between late Tuesday evening, July 25, to Wednesday afternoon.
“Egay is forecast to continue intensifying and reach super typhoon (STY) category by late tomorrow or early Wednesday. However, should the track forecast shift closer to the landmass of Luzon, the typhoon may peak at an intensity just below STY threshold,” said Pagasa.
“Nevertheless, Egay is forecast to become a very strong typhoon. A weakening trend may begin by Wednesday afternoon or evening as it enters the cooler waters southwest and west of Taiwan,” it added.
Egay may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday, July 27.
The weather bureau warned that sea travel is risky for small seacrafts while for larger vessels, operating in gale conditions requires experience and properly equipped vessels.
It also urged the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.
“Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” said Pagasa. (SunStar Philippines)