MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Enteng (Yagi) re-intensified over the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday morning, September 3, with its maximum sustained winds back to 85 kilometers per hour from 75 km/h.
The tropical storm’s gustiness is at 105 km/h, according to the 11 am bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Enteng is still on track for intensification into a severe tropical storm on Tuesday, or within 12 hours.
As of 10 am on Tuesday, it was spotted 100 kilometers west northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, moving west at 25 km/h.
The tropical storm had made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora, at 2 pm on Monday, September 2. It then crossed Quirino, Isabela, Kalinga, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea early Tuesday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said at least 10 people have been reported dead due to Enteng.
PAGASA’s updated forecast shows moderate to intense rain from Enteng will persist in parts of Northern Luzon only until Tuesday, particularly in these areas:
Parts of Northern Luzon also remain under tropical cyclone wind signals as of 11 am on Tuesday:
Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property
Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property
Several other areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, continue to be affected by the southwest monsoon or habagat, which is still being enhanced by Enteng.
Tuesday, September 3
Wednesday, September 4
Thursday, September 5
The enhanced southwest monsoon is also bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas:
Tuesday, September 3
Wednesday, September 4
Thursday, September 5
PAGASA warned that there is a “minimal to moderate risk” of storm surges occurring within 48 hours in coastal areas in Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Enteng and the enhanced southwest monsoon are affecting coastal waters as well.
The gale warning that PAGASA issued at 5 am on Tuesday remains in effect. It covers the western seaboard of Northern Luzon (waves 3.7 to 5 meters high), as well as the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon (waves 3.7 to 4.5 meters high). Seas are rough to very rough, so travel is risky for small vessels.
There will also be rough seas in the western seaboard of Northern Luzon outside gale warning areas (waves 2.5 to 4 meters high), while moderate to rough seas are seen in the western seaboard of Central Luzon (waves 1.5 to 3 meters high), the seaboards of Southern Luzon (waves 2 to 3.5 meters high), and the western seaboard of the Visayas (waves 1.5 to 2.5 meters high). The weather bureau advised small vessels not to venture out to sea.
In the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao, slight to moderate seas are expected (waves 1 to 2 meters high). Small vessels must take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible.
Enteng is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday morning, September 4.
It will head for China, where it could make landfall during the weekend, according to PAGASA.
Enteng may also intensify into a typhoon on Thursday, September 5, outside PAR. It could reach its peak intensity late Friday, September 6, or early Saturday, September 7, before hitting China.
Enteng is the country’s fifth tropical cyclone for 2024 and the first for September. PAGASA previously estimated there may be two or three tropical cyclones during the month.
There is also a 66% chance of La Niña forming in the September-November period. – Rappler.com