MANILA – The low-pressure area (LPA) being monitored by the state weather bureau east of Southeastern Luzon has now developed into Tropical Depression “Egay”.
According to the state weather bureau, it may intensify into a Super Typhoon by Monday, July 24.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday said the center of “Egay” was last seen 900 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon.
It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
Presently, it is moving north-northwestward slowly.
Pagasa weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda, in a public forecast, said “Egay” may intensify into a Tropical Storm within 12 hours.
Throughout its duration within the Philippine boundary, it may continue to strengthen and steadily intensify and reach Super Typhoon category by Monday, July 24.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address on this day.
“Egay is forecast to move slowly in the next 24 hours and will track generally west northwestward until late Sunday before turning northwestward over the Philippine Sea east of Luzon for the remainder of forecast period,” said the state weather bureau in its 11 a.m. bulletin.
The latest forecast track for “Egay” shows that it will remain offshore over the waters east of Luzon, but Pagasa said a landfall scenario over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and Batanes is not ruled out.
Beginning Sunday, July 23, “Egay” will trigger heavy downpour and cause at least 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall in Catanduanes and Northern Samar.
“In areas that will not be directly affected by ‘Egay’, monsoon rains from the enhanced southwest monsoon are possible over the western sections of Mimaropa and Visayas on Sunday,” said Clauren-Jorda.
“On Monday and Tuesday, monsoon rains are likely over the western sections of Southern Luzon and Western Visayas,” she added.
Pagasa has yet to hoist wind signals due to “Egay” but it may be raised in Bicol and Eastern Visayas as early as Saturday, July 22 or Sunday, July 23.
“Egay” is the fifth tropical cyclone to hit the country in 2023 and the second in July. (Charie Abarca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
