Emong moves north northwestward toward southern Taiwan

Tropical Depression Emong moves north northwestward and is presently near the coast of southern Taiwan, according to the latest Severe Weather Bulletin posted by PAGASA.

As of 1.m., the center of the Tropical Depression was estimated data at 140 kilometers northwest of Itbayat, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilomters per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph, and central pressure of 1002 hPa and moving north northwestward at 30 kph.

The weather bureau also reported that strong winds extend outwards up to 200 km from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted over Batanes.

Strong winds will continue to prevail over Batanes while winds will gradually weaken as Emong moves away from extreme northern Luzon.

With the tropical depression, rough seas will be experienced over the seaboards of Batanes and Cagayan including Babuyan Islands.

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

On the forecast track, Emong may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday morning and is forecast to maintain its strength until it makes landfall over coast of Fujian or Guangdong country in southeastern China between this noon or afternoon. -- BAP, GMA News