Signal 1 still up over Batanes, Babuyan Islands as Emong heads for PAR exit

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remained raised over the Batanes and Babuyan Islands as Tropical Depression Emong continued to move away from the Philippines, PAGASA reported Monday in its 11 p.m. severe weather bulletin.

At 10 p.m., Emong was over the coastal waters of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression was moving west-northwestward at 40 kph.

PAGASA said Emong would bring light to moderate with, at times, heavy rain over Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

"Under these conditions and considering antecedent rainfall, isolated flash flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas with high or very high susceptibility to these hazards as identified in hazard maps," the weather bureau warned.

"Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels."

Strong winds will also continue to prevail over areas under TCWS No. 1. However, winds will gradually weaken on Tuesday as Emong moves away from extreme northern Luzon.

Further, rough seas (2.5 to 4 meters) will be experienced over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No.1 and mainland Cagayan.

"Sea travel is risky over these waters, especially for those using small seacrafts. Mariners without the proper experience should immediately seek safe harbor," PAGASA said.

Emong was expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning. — DVM, GMA News