By Nikolai Ordoña 

Tropical cyclone Egay (international name: “Doksuri”) has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) announced on Thursday, July 27.

The typhoon is moving northward through the Taiwan Strait and is forecast to make landfall in Southeastern China by Friday. 

First spotted last July 17, the then-low-pressure area (LPA) east of northeast Mindanao eventually became tropical cyclone “Egay” on July 21, making it the 5th typhoon to hit the country in 2023.

By Tuesday morning, July 25, Egay strengthened into a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph). The highest tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 was raised in Camiguin Island.

However, on the same day, Egay weakened into a typhoon again as it moved over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan. Nevertheless, PAGASA warned that “violent and life-threatening” conditions are still to be expected.

On July 26, Typhoon Egay made two landfalls in Fuga Island, Aparri, and Dalupiri Island, Calayan, both in Cagayan Province. 

Aside from its strong winds, the typhoon also intensified the southwest monsoon known as “Habagat”, bringing heavy rains and floods in several regions across Luzon, including Metro Manila. Classes and government work in affected areas were suspended.

As PAGASA advised against sea travel, 8,949 passengers, 1,745 rolling cargoes, 79 vessels, and 25 motor bancas were stranded in 97 seaports. Airlines also canceled their flights as several airports in Luzon suffered damages from floods and strong winds. 

Based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s July 27 report, the typhoon affected 328,356 people or 89,369 families and displaced 26,697 individuals, 19,826 of whom are staying in evacuation centers.

The agency is also validating reports of missing individuals and deaths due to floods and landslides, citing one from CALABARZON and four from the Cordillera Administrative Region. 

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), agricultural losses and damages have reached PHP 53.1 million. The DA also assured that it is ready to distribute food, farming supplies, and financial assistance to affected farmers and fishers.

Ilocos Norte, one of the provinces severely affected by the typhoon, has been placed under a state of calamity by its provincial government, citing the damaged properties and crops brought about by heavy rains and flooding.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was on a three-day state visit in Malaysia during the typhoon’s onslaught, assured that the government is prepared to assist all affected families.

“Nakahanda na ang mahigit PHP 173M na stand-by funds at ang food at non-food items, at nakadeploy na rin ang search, rescue, and retrieval personnel mula sa ating Armed Forces, Bureau of Fire Protection, at Coast Guard. Naibalik na rin ang kuryente sa 93.53% ng mga apektadong munisipalidad,” Marcos disclosed in a tweet.

More bad weather

Even before Egay left the Philippines, another LPA was already being monitored by PAGASA. Located 1,585 km east of eastern Visayas as of Thursday, it is expected to enter PAR by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.

If the LPA develops into a tropical depression, it will be named “Falcon”, and it will be the sixth tropical cyclone to hit the country.

Although it is not expected to reach the Philippines’ landmass, Falcon will still enhance the effects of Habagat, which could bring more rain in Luzon and Visayas.

“Inaasahan po natin hanggang sa unang araw ng Agosto ay magdadala pa rin ito ng pag-ulan dulot ng habagat na palalakasin nito sa mga susunod po na araw,” PAGASA Weather Specialist Benison Estareja said.

Thumbnail from Task Force Lingkod Cagayan