'Emong' to exit PAR Thursday morning - PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical storm "Emong" has maintained its strength as it continues to move out of the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Wednesday morning.

The weather bureau said that as of 10 a.m., the storm's center was located 400 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes.

The storm was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 90 kph. It was moving north at a speed of 19 kph.

PAGASA expects the storm to move out of the PAR by Thursday morning.

The weather bureau said that the storm will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains and thunderstorms.

In its 10 a.m. thudnerstorm advisory, it said thunderstorm will likely develop over Metro Manila until Wednesday night.

It also advised possible thunderstorms in other parts of Luzon including Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan for the next two hours or until 2 p.m. Wednesday.

PAGASA, meanwhile, advised against sailing in the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon "due to big waves generated" by the storm.