Tropical Cyclone Emong Weakens into Tropical Storm
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Emong has weakened into a tropical storm, sources said on Friday. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Emong now carries sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gusts reaching up to 115 kph.
The tropical cyclone was last tracked over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan, moving north-northeast at 40 kph. Despite this weakening, the four-word keyphrase tropical cyclone emong remains a critical focus for affected communities and authorities.
Current Warnings and Affected Areas
Although Emong has lessened in strength, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 remains in effect for several regions. These include the northern parts of Ilocos Norte such as Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Adams, Burgos, and Bangui. Also under this warning are northern Apayao municipalities like Calanasan, Luna, and Santa Marcela, as well as the entire Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Northwestern mainland Cagayan towns are also included, encompassing Camalaniugan, Buguey, Aparri, and several others.
Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 covers the remaining areas of Ilocos Norte and extends to northern Ilocos Sur municipalities such as Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, and San Esteban. The warning also includes Abra, the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, mainland Cagayan, and northern Isabela provinces.
Southwest Monsoon Still Strengthened
Pagasa emphasized that Emong continues to enhance the southwest monsoon, locally called habagat. This effect is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts, especially to coastal and upland areas exposed to wind on Friday. Affected regions include Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region outside the wind signals, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon provinces such as Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
Additionally, areas in Mimaropa (Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Dinagat Islands will also experience these enhanced winds.
Forecast and Expected Movement
Sources noted that Emong is forecast to pass close to or over the Babuyan Islands and Batanes between Friday afternoon and early evening. It is accelerating north-northeast and expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday morning.
“Emong will continue to weaken throughout the forecast period due to an increasingly unfavorable environment,” local authorities said. They added that the system will likely degenerate into a remnant low by Saturday evening as it moves into the East China Sea. However, a faster weakening trend cannot be ruled out.
For more news and updates on Tropical Cyclone Emong, visit Filipinokami.com.
