Tropical Storm Khanun enters PAR, now named Falcon

Tropical Storm Khanun entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Saturday morning, PAGASA has reported.

The storm has been named Falcon.

As of 10 p.m., the tropical storm was reportedly packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 80 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa.

The storm is moving north northwestward at the speed of 20 km/h with strong to gale-force winds extend outwards up to 650 km from the center.

The tropical storm is forecast to continuously intensify within the next 5 days and become a typhoon on Sunday within the PAR and reach its peak intensity by Tuesday while over the East China Sea or outside the PAR.

Falcon enters PAR as residents in several areas in northern Luzon are still reeling over the effects of Typhoon Egay.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday Super Typhoon Egay has caused an estimated P2.66 billion worth of damage to road infrastructure.

Damage to agriculture was estimated at P512.9 million, the Department of Agriculture announced.

The amount reflects a volume of production loss of 19,488 metric tons, affecting 58,104 hectares of agricultural land and 51,926 farmers.

“The increase is due to the updated reports from Ilocos Region and MIMAROPA, and additional reports from Cagayan Valley and Western Visayas,” the DA said.

The Agriculture Department said affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry.

Death toll, meanwhile, has climbed to 13, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

The NDRRMC said six deaths have been confirmed, while seven are still up for validation. Of the confirmed deaths, five were from the Cordillera Administrative Region while the other was from Western Visayas.

Authorities are also validating reports that 12 individuals have been injured while 20 have gone missing.

The report also shows that a total of 140,923 families or 502,782 persons were affected by the typhoon.

Baguio City was affected by power service interruption after over 20 electric posts toppled due to strong winds from Typhoon Egay.

According to a report by Joanne Ponsoy of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon on “24 Oras,” the entire city and some parts of Benguet remained without electricity since Tuesday, July 25. — BAP, GMA Integrated News