Topical Depression (TD) Emong continues to move closer to extreme northern Luzon and is expected to bring rains to the Batanes and Babuyan Islands.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Emong was last tracked 385 kilometers east northeast of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan or 385 km. east of Aparri, Cagayan. It is moving west northwest at 40 km. per hour.

It has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been hoisted over Batanes and the northeastern portion of Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga) including Babuyan Islands.

PAGASA forecast isolated to scattered flash flooding and rain-induced landslides, especially in areas susceptible to these hazards.

Adjacent areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels, PAGASA added.

Strong breeze to near gale conditions are also likely in areas under TCWS No. 1. Rough to very rough seas will be experienced over the seaboards where TCWS has been hoisted.

“Emong” is expected to make a landfall in the vicinity of Batanes-Babuyan Islands either in the afternoon or at night.

It is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours and is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Tuesday.

The trough of “Emong” may bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of Cagayan Valley, Bicol Region, and Eastern Visayas.

The southwest monsoon and the low pressure area spotted 375 km. west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4A (Calabarzon), Region 4B (Mimaropa), Zamboanga Peninsula, Antique, and Negros provinces.

The rest of the country will have isolated rain showers caused by localized thunderstorms, PAGASA said.