Typhoon Seen Entering PAR Tuesday as TS ‘Egay’ Leaves

(PNA) — Tropical Storm “Egay” is expected to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday while the tropical storm with international name Cham-hom has intensified into typhoon category and expected to enter the country Tuesday afternoon or evening, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Tuesday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Samuel Duran said that as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm “Egay” was located at 260 km northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte or at 280 km west of Basco, Batanes (20.2˚N, 119.3˚E) packed with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move north at 7 kph.

With its speed and movement, Duran said is expected to exit PAR on Tuesday morning and will be headed towards Taiwan.

However, he said Egay continues to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring light to moderate rains in Luzon including Metro Manila on Tuesday just like Monday when it brought heavy rains that caused floods in some areas of Luzon.

He said public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 1 (30-60 kph winds is expected in at least 36 hours) is still hoisted in Luzon over Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, northwest of Cagayan and Apayao.

Residents in mountainous and low lying areas of the provinces under PSWS #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides due to tropical storm.

The estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm.

Southwest monsoon is now affecting Zambales, Bataan, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur. Residents of these areas should be ready on possible flashfloods and landslides.

Fisher folks and small sea crafts are advised not to venture out over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon.

For Tuesday forecast, rains with gusty winds and moderate to rough seas will prevail over Ilocos Norte, Batanes, Apayao and northwestern Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.

Moderate to occasionally heavy monsoon rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides will be experienced over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales and Bataan.

Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, Mindoro, Palawan and Western Visayas. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated thunderstorms will prevail over Mindanao and the rest of Luzon and Visayas.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the southwest will prevail over the rest of the country with moderate to rough seas.

Meanwhile, Duran said the tropical storm with international name Cham-hom is now a typhoon and expected to enter the country on Tuesday afternoon or evening.

PAGASA defines a typhoon as an intense tropical cyclone with maximum wind speed exceeding 118 kph.

He noted once the typhoon enter PAR it will be locally named “Falcon”, the sixth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second for is month of July.

Three to five tropical cyclones are expected to affect the country this month. (PNA) JBP/CLTC