'Maymay' to cross Northern, Central Luzon, after forcing class, office closures

MANILA, Philippines — Maymay may weaken as it crosses Luzon on Thursday, but its broad rain and wind field may pose more widespread hazards: flooding and landslides across the north, monsoon rains reaching Metro Manila and waves as high as 5 meters along the western coast.

More than 200 millimeters of rain may fall over Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet through Thursday afternoon, August 6, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

Pangasinan, Abra, Zambales, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Ifugao may receive 100 to 200 mm during the same period, enough to trigger numerous floods in urban, low-lying and riverside areas and landslides in susceptible communities.

Rain from the southwest monsoon may spread farther south. Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro may receive 50 to 100 mm through Thursday afternoon.

Forecast rainfall may be heavier over mountainous and elevated areas, while places already soaked by earlier rain may face worse impacts.

Crossing the Philippines' largest island

PAGASA forecast Maymay to turn eastward and make landfall over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur or La Union overnight or early Thursday.

The storm is expected to cross Northern and Central Luzon through Thursday. It may weaken into a tropical depression in the morning and further deteriorate into a low-pressure area by the afternoon or evening.

PAGASA cautioned that Maymay's track may still shift and that heavy rain and severe winds may affect areas outside its projected path and landfall point.

Signal No. 2 was in effect over Ilocos Sur and Abra, southern Ilocos Norte, northern and central La Union, northwestern Pangasinan, western Kalinga and Mountain Province, and northwestern Benguet.

These areas may experience gale-force winds of 62 to 88 kph, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Signal No. 1 covered the rest of Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Benguet; Apayao, Ifugao, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya; and northern portions of Zambales, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, as well as northern and central Aurora.

Maymay and the southwest monsoon may also bring strong to gale-force gusts across most of the country through Friday, particularly in exposed coastal and upland areas.

Disruption began before landfall

The storm began disrupting work and classes Wednesday, hours before its projected landfall.

Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels starting at 3 p.m. in Metro Manila, Abra, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan and Zambales.

Agencies providing basic and healthcare services, disaster response and other vital functions were ordered to remain operational. Private employers were left to decide whether to suspend work.

Local governments had also announced class suspensions or shifts to online learning in several areas before the Palace order.

Sea travel turns dangerous

A gale warning is in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Waves of up to 5 meters were forecast along the coasts of Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan, making sea travel dangerous for vessels of all sizes.

PAGASA advised mariners to remain in port or seek safe harbor until winds and waves subside.

Waves of up to 3 meters were also forecast along the coasts of Batanes, Isabela and Zambales and several other exposed seaboards. Small vessels and motorbancas were advised not to venture out.

• Latest
• Trending