Egay now a tropical storm, may intensify into severe tropical storm in 24 hrs

Track of Tropical Depression Egay, which now intensified into a tropical storm. Photo from Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Egay (international name: Doksuri) has strengthened into a tropical storm as it moves westward over the Philippine Sea and may intensify further into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours, the state weather bureau said.

Based on the 11 a.m. cyclone update of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Egay was 750 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Pagasa said the weather disturbance was still moving slowly westward and will continue moving west-northwestward as indicated in their latest track monitoring.

Weather specialist Rhea Torres said Egay became a tropical storm around 8 a.m. Saturday.

“Egay is forecast to intensify into a severe tropical storm in the next 24 hours. Through the forecast period, this tropical cyclone will continue to steadily intensify. It may reach peak Super Typhoon category on Tuesday (July 25) or Wednesday (July 26) while over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon,” Pagasa said in its 11 a.m. bulletin.

Egay may remain off landmass, but state meteorologists reiterated that a landfall scenario over the northern portion of Northern Luzon is still possible at this time.

The state weather service has yet to raise any wind signal due to Egay as of this writing, although in an earlier public weather forecast, Pagasa’s Benison Estareja said the wind signals may be hoisted by Saturday afternoon.

READ: Pagasa may soon raise wind signals due to Tropical Depression Egay

Egay is anticipated to dump rain and enhance southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, over parts of the country.

The cyclone-boosted southwest monsoon may bring windy conditions and scattered rain showers over the following areas beginning Saturday, July 22:

• Western and southern portions of Visayas
• Northern portions of Northern Mindanao
• Caraga
• Romblon
• Masbate

Egay is predicted to cause moderate to rough seas over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao by Sunday, Pagasa said.

Hence, its advised mariners of small seacrafts “to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. If inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels, avoid navigating in these conditions.”

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