MANILA: Tropical Storm Maymay is likely to weaken into a tropical depression on Thursday (Aug 6) evening, according to the state weather bureau.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist John Manalo said during the 8am weather advisory that Maymay is likely to gradually weaken as it crosses Northern Luzon, and may exit the Philippine landmass on Thursday evening.
As of 8am, Maymay is located within the vicinity of Bangued, Abra, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 65km per hour and gustiness of up to 110km per hour.
“Since it has already made landfall and is currently over Bangued, Abra, its interaction with the land will help weaken it further; it could downgrade to a tropical depression by around 5 p.m. today and is likely to exit the landmass later tonight,” he explained.
While Maymay remains inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), it will continue to bring rains over parts of the country, according to Manalo.
Pagasa raised an orange warning over Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan, projecting up to 100 to 200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall within the next 24 hours, due to Maymay and the enhanced habagat
Most of the country would experience strong to gale-force winds until Saturday, Aug. 8, due to the enhanced southwest monsoon, according to the weather bureau.
Gale warning, which indicates 2.8 to 5.0 meters of waves are expected off the coastal waters, remained raised over the western coast of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
Meanwhile, Manalo said that the typhoon outside the PAR, internationally named Dolphin, has now a low chance of entering the country.
“The likelihood of Typhoon Dolphin entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility has decreased. However, should a new tropical cyclone form or affect the country — prompting us to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 — the next name to be used will be Neneng,” he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
