Tropical Storm Maymay maintains strength; Signal No. 2 up in Northern Luzon

MANILA — Tropical Storm Maymay (international name Kujira) maintained its strength on Wednesday morning as it tracked off the coast of La Union, keeping Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 active in several areas across Northern Luzon, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the storm was last spotted 185 kilometers west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, moving northward at 10 km/h. It packs maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour (kph).

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency, PAGASA noted that Maymay could make landfall over Ilocos Sur or La Union within the day. However, the storm is expected to downgrade into a tropical depression and further weaken into a low-pressure area by Thursday.

Wind signals and severe weather warnings

Signal No. 2 (Gale-force winds expected):

• Ilocos Sur

• La Union: Northern and central portions (Luna, Caba, Santol, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, Bagulin, Aringay, Bangar, San Gabriel, Burgos, Naguilian, Bacnotan, Sudipen, Balaoan)

• Pangasinan: Northwestern portion (Anda, Bolinao, Bani)

• Abra: Southwestern portion (Manabo, Pidigan, Langiden, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tubo, Villaviciosa, Pilar, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, San Quintin, Bangued, Bucay, Danglas, La Paz, Tayum)

• Mountain Province: Western portion (Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan)

• Benguet: Northwestern portion (Mankayan, Kapangan, Kibungan, Sablan, Bakun)

Signal No. 1 (Strong winds expected):

Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Ifugao, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Mountain Province, and Benguet

• Cagayan: Mainland portion

• Zambales: Northern portion (Candelaria, Santa Cruz, Masinloc, Palauig)

• Tarlac: Northern portion (Mayantoc, San Clemente, Camiling, Santa Ignacia, Gerona, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura)

• Nueva Ecija: Northern portion (Carranglan, Lupao, Cuyapo, Talugtug, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan)

• Aurora: Northern and central portions (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

The combined influence of Maymay’s outer periphery and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to bring heavy rains across most of Luzon, as well as strong to gale-force gusts over large parts of Luzon, the Visayas, and western/northern Mindanao. A gale warning remains in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Over 12,000 families affected

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that the combined effects of Maymay, former Tropical Depression Luis, and the Southwest Monsoon have affected 12,432 families (or 41,979 individuals) across Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

OCD Public Information Officer Diego Mariano confirmed on Wednesday that 14 evacuation centers are currently active, providing shelter to 1,821 families (5,818 individuals).

No casualties, injuries, or missing persons have been reported, and there are currently no recorded damages to agriculture or infrastructure.

-Paraluman News and Philippine News Agency