Manila: Tropical Storm Maymay (international name Kujira) and the southwest monsoon, known locally as habagat, continue to unleash heavy rains and strong winds across numerous areas in Luzon, according to the latest weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the cyclone was last spotted 145 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, moving north northeastward at a speed of 10 km per hour. PAGASA reported that Maymay is causing significant rainfall in regions including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Abra, Zambales, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, and Bulacan.

The storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour near its center, with gustiness reaching up to 90 km per hour. Areas under Signal No. 2, such as the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, parts of La Union and Pangasinan, Abra, and portions of Kalinga and Mountain Province, are expected to experience gale-force winds. In contrast, areas under Signal No. 1, including other parts of Ilocos Norte, La Union, and surrounding regions, will experience strong winds.

PAGASA has also indicated that most of the country will experience strong to gale-force gusts due to habagat at Maymay's periphery. A gale warning remains in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon, with habagat expected to bring moderate to heavy rains in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

The weather bureau has forecast that Maymay could move eastward, potentially making landfall in the Ilocos Norte - Ilocos Sur - La Union area tonight or on Thursday. Following the anticipated landfall, the cyclone may weaken into a tropical depression and subsequently into a low-pressure area by Thursday.