Emong gaining strength off Samar

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau yesterday urged the public to remain vigilant and be prepared for possible floods as the low pressure area spotted off Mindanao intensified into a tropical depression yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Depression Emong was expected to intensify in the next 24 to 48 hours.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Emong was spotted at 370 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center.

The storm could bring five to 15 millimeters per hour of rain (moderate to heavy) over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the weather bureau said.

Emong, the fifth tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the second weather disturbance this month, was forecast to move north northwest at nine kph.

PAGASA said Emong was not expected to directly hit any part of the country based on latest forecasts.

It is predicted to be 320 km northeast of Catarman this afternoon; 500 km northeast of Catarman tomorrow afternoon and 490 km northeast of Tuguegarao, Cagayan by Wednesday afternoon.

Based on PAGASA’s 24-hour forecast, the regions of Bicol, central and eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, northern Mindanao and Caraga will experience cloudy skies with moderate to occasionally heavy rainshowers and thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Metro Manila and the regions of Ilocos, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, western Visayas, Davao, Soccsksargen, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the provinces of Zambales and Bataan will be cloudy with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.