Emong now a storm; to exit Phl on Thursday - PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines - "Emong" has intensified into a tropical storm as it accelerated in a northerly direction, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said before Tuesday noon.

 

In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Tropical Storm Emong was estimated to be located at 460 kilometers east of Isabela, Cagayan at 10 a.m. today.

 

Emong is packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

 

It is projected to move north at 19 kph and is expected to be at 830 km northeast of Basco, Batanes out of Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday morning.

 

"Tropical Storm 'Emong' is still far to directly affect any part of the country. However, it will enhance the Southwest Monsoon which will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Northern Mindanao," the agency said.

 

 

Earlier in the day, the agency warned that the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon is expected to bring rains until Friday in various parts of the country including Metro Manila, which was flooded on Monday evening due to heavy downpour.

 

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