Typhoon Emong makes landfall over Pangasinan; Signal No. 4 still up in N. Luzon areas

 RAMBB/US NOAA/Himawari-9 

MANILA — Typhoon Emong made landfall near Agno, Pangasinan around 10:40 p.m. Thursday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Emong, now over the coastal waters of Agno, was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 150 kph.

Another landfall is possible over La Union or Ilocos Sur late Thursday or early Friday, PAGASA said.

Signal No. 4, where typhoon-force winds are expected within 12 hours, is hoisted over the following areas:

• Southwestern portion of La Union (Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Bauang, Caba, Aringay, Agoo, Santo Tomas)
• Western portion of Ilocos Sur (Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin)
• Northern portion of Pangasinan (Agno, Bani, Bolinao, Anda, City of Alaminos, Burgos, Dasol, Mabini, Sual)

These areas may experience very strong winds that could fell trees and posts, tear away roofs, and inflict significant damage to houses.

The following wind signals are also raised over the following areas:

Signal No. 3 (storm-force winds within 18 hours)

• Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Nueva Era, City of Batac, Marcos, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Pinili, Badoc)
• Rest of Ilocos Sur
• Rest of La Union
• Central portion of Pangasinan (Lingayen, Bugallon, Infanta, Dagupan City, San Fabian, Binmaley, Labrador, Sison, Pozorrubio, San Jacinto, Mangaldan, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mapandan, San Carlos City, Aguilar)
• Abra
• Western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Bauko)
• Western portion of Benguet (Sablan, Kapangan, Mankayan, Tuba, Bakun, Kibungan)
• Extreme northern portion of Zambales (Santa Cruz)

Signal No. 2 (gale-force winds within 24 hours)

• Rest of Ilocos Norte
• Rest of Pangasinan
• Northern portion of Zambales (Masinloc, Candelaria, Palauig, Iba)
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Rest of Mountain Province
• Rest of Benguet
• Ifugao
• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Northern and western portions of Isabela (Cordon, City of Santiago, Ramon, San Isidro, Alicia, San Mateo, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Luna, Aurora, Burgos, Roxas, Quirino, Mallig, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Cabagan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, Gamu, Ilagan City, City of Cauayan, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian)
• Northwestern portion of Quirino (Diffun)
• Western and central portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe, Ambaguio, Aritao, Bambang, Bayombong, Villaverde, Solano, Bagabag, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Quezon, Diadi)
• Northwestern portion of Nueva Ecija (Nampicuan, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Lupao, Carranglan, Guimba)
• Northern portion of Tarlac (Mayantoc, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Pura, Ramos, Anao, San Manuel, Moncada, Paniqui, Camiling, San Clemente)

Signal No. 1 (strong winds within 36 hours)

• Rest of Isabela
• Rest of Quirino
• Rest of Nueva Vizcaya
• Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler, San Luis)
• Rest of Nueva Ecija
• Rest of Tarlac
• Western and central portions of Pampanga (Porac, Floridablanca, Angeles City, Mabalacat City, Magalang, Mexico, Bacolor, City of San Fernando, Santa Rita, Guagua, Arayat, Lubao, Santa Ana)
• Northern portion of Bataan (Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Morong)
• Rest of Zambales

Forecast track of Typhoon Emong as of 11 p.m., July 24. Handout/PAGASA

Emong may begin weakening after crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon.

It will continue to head northeastward, pass very close to or over Babuyan Islands and Batanes on Friday and exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday.

Emong's very strong winds may also generate up to three meter storm surge that can threaten the coastal areas of Zambales, Ilocos Region, Cagayan, and Batanes.

The western seaboard of Luzon will be also experience very rough to high seas, unsafe for travel of any sea vessel.

The rain bands of Typhoon Emong and the enhanced southwest monsoon will bring significant rainfall over Luzon through Saturday evening.

Serious threats of widespread and severe flooding and landslides remain over the western portions of Luzon.

TORRENTIAL RAINS

PAGASA also warned of torrential rains over Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Abra, and Benguet, and heavy rains over Mountain Province and Ifugao from Thursday to Friday night due to Emong.

Bataan and Occidental Mindoro may also experience torrential rains, while heavy rains may affect Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Tarlac and Laguna until Friday due to the southwest monsoon or habagat, enhanced by both Emong and Dante.

According to PAGASA, Emong may make another landfall in La Union or Ilocos Sur between late Thursday and early Friday morning. It will then cross the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the Babuyan Channel by Friday morning or noon.

Emong may maintain its strength as it makes its second landfall. A slight weakening prior to its second landfall due to increasing interaction with the terrain of northwestern Luzon is also not ruled out, PAGASA added.

Emong may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday.

Malacañang in recent days suspended classes and government work in Metro Manila and dozens of provinces due to the weather disturbance.

#WalangPasok: Class suspensions on Friday, July 25