Tropical Storm Maymay Update: Signal No. 2 Raised in 8 Northern Luzon Areas

Eight areas in Northern Luzon were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 on Wednesday afternoon due to Tropical Storm Maymay (international name: Kujira), the state weather bureau said. According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Maymay was located 440 kilometers east of Itbayat, Batanes at 5 p.m. Wednesday. It packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph, and was moving west at 25 kph. The areas under TCWS No. 2 are Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Abra, Mountain Province, and Benguet. Residents in these areas can expect strong winds of 63 to 88 kph, which could cause damage to property, including roofs and trees, and power outages. Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1 was hoisted over other parts of Northern Luzon, where winds of 39 to 62 kph are expected. Maymay is forecast to continue moving west and make landfall over Batanes or Cagayan on Thursday morning. After landfall, it is expected to move northwest and reach the Taiwan Strait by Friday afternoon. PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to take precautions against strong winds, potential damage to infrastructure, and possible flooding and landslides. Coastal communities are also warned of rough seas and storm surges. The Philippines, situated in the "Ring of Fire" and the typhoon belt, frequently experiences tropical cyclones, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and disrupt daily life, particularly for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families.