Typhoon 'Egay' maintains strength, still heading towards Taiwan

Typhoon "Egay" (international codename: Sepat) has maintained its strength as it continued moving northwest towards Batanes-Taiwan area, according to the weather bureau Friday. 

As of 10:00 a.m., the typhoon was located at 200 kms east of Basco, Batanes or 300 kms northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, said the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 250 kph and was heading northwest at 19 kph.

PAGASA cited areas having public storm warning signal  include
Signal No.3 (100-185 kph winds) for the Batanes group of islands, Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) for Babuyan group of islands, and Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) for Cagayan, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Kalinga, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and Abra .

The weather bureau said storm warning signal elsewhere is now lowered.

Typhoon "Egay" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring occasional rains over Luzon and the western section of Visayas.

Residents along coastal areas under signal number three, two and one are alerted against big waves and storm surges generated by this typhoon. Likewise, those living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.