Manila: Wind Signal No. 2 remains in effect across parts of Northern Luzon as Tropical Storm Maymay, internationally known as Kujira, continues to hold its intensity, according to the latest bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The 11 a.m. update on Wednesday reported that the storm is sustaining maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gusts reaching up to 80 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, the storm was last located 185 kilometers west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union, moving northward at a speed of 10 kph. Areas under Signal No. 2, including Ilocos Sur, northern and central portions of La Union, northwestern Pangasinan, southwestern Abra, western Mountain Province, and northwestern Benguet, can expect gale-force winds.
Strong winds are anticipated in regions under Signal No. 1, which include Ilocos Norte, the remaining parts of La Union, Pangasinan, and various sections of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya, among others. Northern portions of Zambales, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora are also affected. PAGASA highlighted that Maymay's periphery and the southwest monsoon are generating strong to gale-force gusts in many parts of Luzon and Visayas, along with several regions in Mindanao.
A gale warning is in place for the western seaboard of Northern Luzon, and heavy rains are impacting most of Luzon. PAGASA forecasts a potential landfall of Maymay over Ilocos Sur or La Union within the day. The storm is expected to weaken into a tropical depression and eventually downgrade to a low-pressure area by Thursday.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that the combined impact of Tropical Depression Luis, Tropical Storm Maymay, and the southwest monsoon has affected approximately 12,432 families, equating to 41,979 individuals. These families are spread across Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 3 (Central Luzon), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region 5 (Bicol Region), and Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).
OCD public information officer Diego Mariano stated that there have been no reports of casualties or missing persons linked to the weather disturbances. Additionally, no damage to agriculture or infrastructure has been reported. Around 14 evacuation centers are operational, providing shelter to 1,821 families, or a total of 5,818 individuals.
