The low-pressure area (LPA) located off Southeastern Luzon has recently strengthened, being upgraded to a tropical depression, and has been given the name “Egay” by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Friday.
According to Pagasa’s 2 p.m. bulletin, there is a likelihood that Egay will continue to develop over the next 12 hours, possibly becoming a tropical storm. As of the latest update, its center was situated approximately 900 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, moving north-northwestward with maximum sustained winds of 50 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness reaching up to 70kph.
Forecasters predict that the tropical depression will move slowly within the next 24 hours, following a general west-northwestward track until late Sunday. Afterward, it is expected to turn northwestward, remaining over the Philippine Sea east of Luzon for the rest of the forecast period.
While current projections indicate that Egay will likely remain offshore, primarily affecting the waters east of Luzon, the possibility of a landfall scenario over the eastern portion of mainland Cagayan and Batanes cannot be entirely ruled out, as stated by the state-run weather agency.
In addition to its current status as a tropical depression, there are concerns that Egay could undergo steady intensification and possibly reach the super typhoon category by late Monday or early Tuesday while moving over the Philippine Sea, still east of Luzon, according to Pagasa.
Residents in potentially affected areas are advised to stay vigilant and closely monitor updates from Pagasa to remain informed about the storm’s developments and any necessary safety measures. (ai/mnm)
