Manila: Tropical cyclone Emong, internationally known as Co-may, has been downgraded to a severe tropical storm, as per the latest bulletin from the weather bureau. As of 8 a.m. Friday, Emong was recorded to have maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour near its center and gustiness reaching up to 165 kilometers per hour. The storm was situated near San Isidro, Abra at 7 a.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 has been raised over several areas including Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, parts of La Union, Apayao, Abra, and sections of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, and Cagayan. These regions can expect storm-force winds. Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 has been declared for Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, and other parts of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and surrounding areas, where gale-force winds are anticipated.

Areas under Signal No. 1, including the remaining parts of Pangasinan, Isabela, Quirino, and portions of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales, will experience strong winds. Emong, along with the southwest monsoon, is expected to bring heavy rain across a wide swath of the country, impacting provinces such as Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, and several others.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has indicated a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge, with potential peak heights of 1 to 3 meters, threatening low-lying coastal areas in Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, and other coastal provinces. A gale warning remains in effect for the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.

PAGASA's 8 a.m. bulletin further noted that Emong made its second landfall at 5:10 a.m. in Candon City, Ilocos Sur. The storm is projected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Saturday.