Tropical Storm Maymay, monsoon to keep bringing heavy rains, strong winds

Tropical Storm Maymay (international name Kujira) and the southwest monsoon (habagat) are still causing heavy rains and strong winds in many areas across Luzon, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday.

The cyclone was last located 145 km. west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, moving north northeastward at 10 km. per hour (kph).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Maymay is causing heavy rainfall across Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Abra, Zambales, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan.

Maymay packs maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Gale-force winds will prevail in areas where Signal No. 2 is hoisted: southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Banna, Pinili, Badoc, Nueva Era, Sarrat, Paoay, Marcos, Currimao, San Nicolas, Dingras, Solsona, City of Batac), Ilocos Sur, the northern and central portions of La Union (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan), the northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani), Abra, the western portion of Kalinga (Pasil, Tinglayan, Balbalan, Lubuagan), the western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga), and the northwestern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Bakun, La Trinidad, Tublay, Atok, Buguias).

Strong winds will be experienced in areas under Signal No. 1: the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of La Union, the rest of Pangasinan, Apayao, the rest of Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of Benguet, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the northern portion of Zambales (Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Masinloc, Palauig), the northern portion of Tarlac (Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria), the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Bongabon, Rizal, Llanera, Talavera, Santo Domingo, General Mamerto Natividad, Quezon, Licab), and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, San Luis, Maria Aurora).

PAGASA said most of the country will likewise experience strong to gale-force gusts caused by habagat at Maymay's periphery.

Gale warning is still in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, habagat will bring moderate to heavy rains across Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

PAGASA, meanwhile, said Maymay is forecast to move eastward and could make landfall over Ilocos Norte - Ilocos Sur - La Union area tonight or on Thursday.

After the possible landfall, the cyclone may weaken into a tropical depression, then into a low pressure area on Thursday, PAGASA added. (PNA)