Tropical Depression Emong maintains its strength as it continues to move closer towards Batanes-Babuyan islands area.
At 10:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression Emong was estimated based on all available data at 315 km East of Aparri, Cagayan.
It is moving West Northwestward at 40 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Today through tomorrow (6 July) morning, “EMONG” is forecast to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.
Under these conditions and considering antecedent rainfall, isolated to scattered flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are highly likely, especially in areas with high or very high susceptibility to these hazards as identified in hazard maps. Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels.
Areas where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) #1 is hoisted will be experiencing strong winds (strong breeze to near gale) during the passage of the tropical depression. However, the projected track and intensity suggests the possibility of hoisting TCWS #2 over portions of the localities presently under TCWS #1.
Tropical Depression Emong maintains strength
Tropical depression Emong is forecast to continue moving generally northwestward until tonight as it approaches the Extreme Northern Luzon-Taiwan area. On the forecast track, the center of the tropical depression will pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Batanes-Babuyan Islands area this afternoon or tonight. However, due to the fast movement of the tropical depression, there is an increasing chance that the close approach or landfall will happen at a much earlier time. “EMONG” may likely exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow early morning.
Emong may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, although intensification is being deterred by its high movement speed. After passing in the vicinity of Extreme Northern Luzon as a tropical storm, “EMONG” may weaken into a tropical depression due to its interaction with the rugged terrain of southern Taiwan.
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