Signal No. 1 still up in 6 areas; Maymay seen moving towards Central Luzon

Storm signal No. 1 remains hoisted over six areas in Luzon as Tropical Depression Maymay slowly moves south southwestward over the Philippine waters, PAGASA reported Tuesday.

According to its 11 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Maymay is forecast to head slowly westward or remain almost stationary in the next 12 hours before it gradually accelerates westward toward Central Luzon.

"On the forecast track, the center of this tropical cyclone may make landfall in the vicinity of Aurora by Thursday morning. Afterwards, the center of Maymay will traverse the landmass of Central Luzon," the weather bureau added.

Under Signal No. 1 are Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, Nueva Ecija and the extreme northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Pollilo Islands.

Strong winds may prevail over the affected areas due to the tropical depression, PAGASA said.

A marine gale warning also remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the influence of the tropical cyclone and the surge of northeasterly surface wind flow, it added.

PAGASA warned these conditions may be risky for those using small seacrafts, adding mariners should take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating to ensure their safety.

The center of the eye of Maymay was last seen 320 km east of Baler, Aurora. It is moving westward slowly and has maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

TD outside PAR maintains strength

Meanwhile, the tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) maintained its strength while continuously moving northward.

As of 10 p.m., the center of the eye of the tropical cyclone was spotted 2,140 km east of Southeastern Luzon. It is heading northward at  20 km/h while packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 55 km/h, and a central pressure of 1006 hPa.

The tropical depression is forecast to decelerate as it generally moves north-northeastward in the next 12 hours before turning northward to northwestward while gaining speed.

It is expected to enter PAR by Thursday morning or afternoon before it moves generally westward towards extreme Northern Luzon.

PAGASA said it may intensify into a tropical cyclone over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category by Thursday. Further intensification is not ruled out.

Storm signal no. 2 may be hoisted over Batanes and several provinces in Northern Luzon once it enters PAR, PAGASA added.

Magat Dam

In anticipation of rains brought by Maymay, the National Irrigation Administration announced that one of the gates of Magat Dam will be opened on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

“In anticipation of the expected heavy inflow due to Tropical Depression Maymay, Radical gate #4 of the Magat Dam will be opened tomorrow, October 12, 2022 at 4:30 in the afternoon,” it said.

“Gate opening is at 1 meter with an approximate discharge of 200 cubic meter per second (cms),” it added.—With a report from Richa Noriea/LDF, GMA News