Cagayan braces for Typhoon Egay

Residents and the provincial government of Cagayan are bracing for the possible onslaught of Typhoon Egay.

Signal No. 2 is currently raised over the province as Egay continues to move north-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph. As of 4 p.m., the storm's center was 500 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

According to Jasmin Gabriel-Galban of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon on "24 Oras," the Cagayan government aims to evacuate over 1,000 residents of Sta. Ana until Tuesday morning, especially those staying in low-lying areas.

“'Yung mga nasa low lying at nasa tabing dagat mag pre-emptive na sila huwag na nila hintayin ang bagyo bago sila lilikas," said DRRM Officer Marion Miranda.

They have also deployed rescue personnel to each barangay.

Fishermen have moved their boats farther inland, while ferryboat operations have been suspended.

“Wala nang nabiyahe sa Calayan, nag-take shelter na sila dito," said Philippine Coast Guard Sta. Ana Station Commander, Police Officer 3 Elmer Viloria.

According to the Cagayan Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), the province is currently under blue alert.

"So far, blue alert pa lang. The local chief executive can decide on conducting preemptive evacuation, on red alert pwede nang mag-force evacuation," DRRM Officer Ruelie Rapsing said. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News