Tropical Depression “Emong” grew slightly stronger as it continued to exit the Philippine area of responsibility.
At around 8 p.m. Monday, the storm passed "very close" to the Batan and Sabtang islands in the country's northernmost region, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Signal Number 1 remained hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands. Residents of these areas were warned of strong winds, although these would gradually weaken as Emong moves further away, PAGASA said.
The storm was moving northwest at 50 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kmh near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kmh.
The weather bureau said Emong was forecast to leave the Philippine area Monday night or early Tuesday, could intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours, then weaken into a tropical depression as it makes landfall over Guangdong province in China. Rio N. Araja
In its 5 p.m. bulletin Monday, PAGASA said Emong accelerated, moving northwestward at 45 kph towards the area of Batanes-Babuyan Islands.
It has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
"Emong" was last tracked 215 kilometers east northeast of Calayan, Cagayan, or 160 km. east southeast of Basco, Batanes.
Batanes and Babuyan Islands will continue to experience moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains. Isolated to scattered flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas susceptible to these hazards.
Adjacent areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels, PAGASA said.
Sea travel is risky over these waters.
Meanwhile, scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over the Ilocos Region, Apayao, the rest of Cagayan, Metro Manila, the Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Bicol Region, the Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, the Davao Region, and Zambales due to the trough of "Emong" and the southwest monsoon.
The rest of the country will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms, PAGASA said.