(Update) Typhoon Egay's Wrath Looms: 22 Areas Brace for Impact!

Image: PAGASA

Manila, Philippines - Monday, [July 24, 2023; 8:30 am]

As Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) continues to intensify, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 in two areas and TCWS No. 1 in 22 other areas. Egay is forecast to make landfall in either Batanes or Cagayan, posing potential threats to these regions and surrounding areas.

TCWS No. 2 Areas:

1. The southeastern portion of Isabela
2. Northeastern portion of Catanduanes (Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto)

TCWS No. 1 Areas:

1. Batanes
2. Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
3. The rest of Isabela
4. Quirino
5. Nueva Vizcaya
6. Apayao
7. Kalinga
8. Abra
9. Mountain Province
10. Ifugao
11. Benguet
12. Ilocos Norte
13. Ilocos Sur
14. La Union
15. The northern portion of Pangasinan
16. The northern and southeastern portions of Quezon including Polilio Islands
17. Camarines Norte
18. Camarines Sur
19. The rest of Catanduanes
20. Albay
21. Sorsogon
22. Masbate

Typhoon Egay is currently moving westward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. According to Pagasa's 5:00 a.m. bulletin, after its westward movement, Egay is expected to turn northwestward, heading closer to the landmass of Northern Luzon towards the Luzon Strait.

Forecasters predict that Typhoon Egay will cross the Luzon Strait and make landfall or pass very close to the Babuyan Islands-Batanes area between late evening tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon. However, there remains a possibility of a shift in the track forecast closer to Luzon due to the persistence of the ridge of high pressure north of the typhoon. Consequently, a landfall over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan is not ruled out.

Egay's strength is anticipated to continue to intensify, and it is likely to reach super typhoon category by Tuesday or early Wednesday. However, if the track forecast shifts closer to the landmass of Luzon, Egay may peak at an intensity just below the super typhoon threshold, as reported by Pagasa.

"It must be emphasized that further shift in the track forecast closer to Luzon remains a possibility due to the persistence of the ridge of high pressure north of the typhoon," the weather agency stated. "As such, a landfall over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan is not ruled out."

Pagasa warned that Egay is forecast to become a very strong typhoon, and residents in affected areas should take necessary precautions to ensure their safety and prepare for possible disruptions to daily activities. The state weather bureau also advised monitoring updates and heeding local authorities' instructions for evacuation, if necessary.

As the situation develops, Pagasa will continue to provide regular updates and track the typhoon's movement. All residents in the affected regions are urged to stay informed about the latest weather advisories to protect themselves and their communities from potential risks.

The Philippine government and disaster response agencies are closely monitoring the typhoon's trajectory to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to minimize its impact on affected communities. As always, preparedness and vigilance play crucial roles in mitigating the potential adverse effects of severe weather events like Typhoon Egay.

Furthermore, it is essential to remember that typhoons can be unpredictable, and slight changes in their trajectory can significantly affect their impact on specific areas. Therefore, residents in the identified regions and adjacent provinces should remain vigilant and stay tuned for updates from local authorities and reliable weather sources.

Pagasa expects that Typhoon Egay may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday. Until then, the nation is urged to remain vigilant and prepared to respond appropriately to any changes in the storm's behavior.

For additional information and up-to-date advisories on Typhoon Egay, please refer to the official Pagasa website and other reputable news sources. Stay safe and heed all official guidance during this challenging weather event.

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