‘Egay’ strengthens further on way to Batanes, Taiwan
By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:55pm (Mla time) 08/16/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Typhoon "Egay" (international codename: Sepat) strengthened on its way to the Batanes and Taiwan area.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised storm signal number 2 over the Batanes group of islands where 60 to 100 kilometer-per-hour winds are expected, the weather bureau’s 5 p.m. weather bulletin said.

Signal number 1 remained over the Babuyan Islands, and the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, and Catanduanes, PAGASA said.

These areas will experience "rains and gusty winds" and the coastal waters will be "rough to very rough," the weather bulletin said.

At 2 p.m., "Egay" was spotted 420 kilometers southeast of Aparri town, Cagayan province. The storm packs winds of 215 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 250 kilometers per hour.

The storm is moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA REPORT
Issued At: 5:00 p.m.,18 August 2007

At 2:00 p.m. today, Typhoon "EGAY" was located based on radar, satellite and surface data at 420 kms north northwest of Basco, Batanes (24.0ºN, 119.8ºE) with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move northwest at 11 kph. Moderate to strong southwesterly surface windflow prevailing over Luzon and Western Visayas.

Finally, clear skies.

The Asian Spirit plane landed and left the Islands today.