Egay to turn into severe tropical storm within 12 hours –PAGASA

Tropical Storm Egay was predicted to develop into a severe tropical storm within the next 12 hours as it was expected to bring scattered rain over the Bicol and Eastern Visayas Regions, said weather bureau PAGASA in its Saturday afternoon weather bulletin.

Egay was 685 kilometers east of Virac, Cataduanes and was continuing to move westward at 15 kilometers per hour.

While Egay had 75 kph maximum sustained winds, no tropical cyclone wind signals have been issued.

Egay was expected to bring 50-100mm of rainfall in the Catanduanes area, though it was predicted to be generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas.

PAGASA also said in its afternoon forecast that Egay's trough would bring cloudy conditions with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

The tropical storm would  also enhance the Southwest Monsoon during the weekend and into next week, with occasional rains expected over Western Visayas and Occidental Mindoro on Sunday, and occasional rains likely over Western Visayas, Occidental Mindoro, and the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian Islands on Monday.

Residents in affected areas were urged to prepare for severe winds, possible floods and landslides because of severe rainfall, especially in areas marked susceptible to said catastrophes.

Moderate to rough seas may be experienced over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao within the next 24 hours.

While the current forecast indicates the storm to remain offshore over the Philippine Sea, a landfall scenario over the northern portion of Northern Luzon may still occur.

PAGASA will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Egay as it is predicted to peak as a super typhoon over the Philippine Sea east of Extreme Northern Luzon by Thursday. — DVM, GMA Integrated News