Emong Intensifies, Threatens Northern Luzon

Seven Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 as Storm Approaches

Tropical cyclone Emong has strengthened, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Signal No. 1 in seven Luzon provinces. The storm is poised to make landfall on Thursday evening or early Friday morning.

Emong’s Path and Intensity

As of PAGASA’s 5 p.m. Wednesday bulletin, Emong was located 150 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It is moving southwestward at 20 km/h, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near its center and gusts up to 80 km/h. The storm is expected to reach severe tropical storm status before crossing Ilocos Sur, La Union, or Pangasinan.

Areas under Signal No. 1 include Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, and specific portions of Pangasinan. After traversing Northern Luzon’s mountainous terrain, Emong is forecast to weaken into a tropical storm over the Luzon Strait on Friday afternoon. Its path may involve a temporary loop over the West Philippine Sea due to interaction with another tropical cyclone, Dante.

Dante’s Location and Trajectory

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Dante was situated 835 kilometers east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon, also with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gusts of up to 80 km/h. Dante is moving north northwestward at 25 km/h and is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday afternoon or evening.

Widespread Impact and Weather Advisory

Emong is anticipated to bring rains and gusty winds to the Ilocos Region and the Cordillera Administrative Region. Cagayan Valley will experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. Monsoon rains are expected over Metro Manila and several other provinces, including Zambales, Bataan, and parts of Central Luzon and MIMAROPA.

The Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, will also bring scattered rains and thunderstorms to the Bicol Region and the rest of the Visayas. Mindanao may see isolated rain showers or thunderstorms. PAGASA warns of potential flash floods and landslides due to the adverse weather conditions. Moderate to rough seas are predicted for Central, Southern, and Northern Luzon.

In anticipation of the inclement weather, classes at all levels and government work were suspended in Metro Manila and 35 other provinces on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of July 2025, 1.2 million families were affected by recent heavy rains across the country, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability to weather disturbances (NDRRMC, 2025).