EMONG has gradually weakened and is now classified again as a Severe Tropical Storm (STS) as it moves across the mountainous areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region, according to state weather agency PAGASA.

After making its second landfall in the vicinity of Candon City, Ilocos Sur at 5:10 a.m. on Friday, STS Emong is now expected to continue weakening as it crosses the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon.

The storm is forecast to emerge over the Babuyan Channel before noon and track northeastward, passing close to the Babuyan Islands throughout the afternoon. It may also pass near Batanes by late afternoon or evening.

Following its northeastward track, Emong is projected to further weaken due to land interaction and may be downgraded to a tropical storm before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday morning or around midday (July 26).

Emong is expected to continue weakening throughout the forecast period due to increasingly unfavorable conditions. It will likely dissipate into a remnant low by tomorrow evening as it enters the East China Sea. 

It first made landfall at 10:40 p.m. on Thursday in the vicinity of Agno, Pangasinan, carrying maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching up to 165 kph.

Wind Signals Remain Raised

Despite Emong’s weakening and expected exit from PAR, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remains in effect over the northeastern portion of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Apayao, and northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 2 is raised over the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the rest of Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, Batanes, and the northern and western portion of mainland Cagayan.

Under Signal No. 1 are the rest of llocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union, the rest of Abra, the northern portion of Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Isabela.

Additionally, the Southwest Monsoon enhanced by Emong is expected to continue bringing rains over Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Zambales, Bataan, and Batangas.