Typhoon Emong intensifies, may make landfall in La Union or Ilocos Sur

Typhoon Emong, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gustiness up to 150 kph, is located 220 kilometers west-southwest of Bacnotan, La Union.

Emong intensified into a typhoon at 8 am on Thursday, July 24, with its maximum sustained winds increasing by 75 kph in a 24-hour period.

The typhoon is moving south-southeast slowly, decelerating from 15 km/h to below 10 km/h.

Moderate to torrential rain is expected in affected areas, with likely severe flooding and landslides.

Emong may make landfall over La Union or Ilocos Sur on Friday morning, with a close approach over northwestern Pangasinan between Thursday evening and Friday morning not ruled out.

Signal No. 3 is hoisted over the northern portion of Pangasinan and the western portion of La Union.

Signal No. 2 is raised over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the central portion of Pangasinan, northwestern and western portions of mainland Cagayan, and the western portion of Nueva Vizcaya.

Both Emong and Tropical Storm Dante are enhancing the southwest monsoon, bringing significant rainfall over Luzon and parts of Panay through Saturday.