TROPICAL CYCLONE Egay (international name: Doksuri) turned into a super typhoon on Tuesday morning, the Philippine’ weather bureau said, raising more areas under storm signals in parts of the main island of Luzon.
In a 2 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Egay was last spotted at 230 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City in Cagayan province.
It was moving northwestward at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
Due to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds, PAGASA hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals in some parts of Luzon.
Signal No. 5, the highest wind signal, was raised over the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands. PAGASA said strong winds could threaten lives and property.
Signal No. 4 was up in the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan and the rest of Babuyan Islands.
Signal No. 3 was raised in the northeastern portion of Isabela, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, the eastern portion of Ilocos Norte and the northeastern portion of Kalinga and Batanes.
The rest of Isabela, the northern and central portions of Aurora, Quirino, the rest of Kalinga, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northeastern part of Benguet and the northeastern portion of La Union were under Signal No. 2.
Signal No. 1 was placed in Quezon including Polillo Islands, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Marinduque, Cavite, Metro Manila, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes.
“The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone,” PAGASA said. “Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.”
“Egay is nearing its peak intensity,” the weather bureau said. “A short window of high favorable environment in the near term will allow it to either maintain its intensity in the next 12 hours or slightly intensify.”
Based on its track forecast, a slight northward or southward shift could result in a landfall or close approach over northern mainland Cagayan or Batanes, PAGASA said.
The super typhoon is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday morning and cross the Taiwan Strait and make landfall near Fujian, China on Friday morning. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera