'Emong' intensifies into typhoon

Tropical Cyclone "Emong" has intensified into a typhoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported Thursday.

In its latest advisory, PAGASA said the center of Typhoon "Emong" was estimated 220 kilometers (km) west southwest of Bacnotan, La Union, or 210 km west of Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

It had maximum sustained winds of 12 km per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.

The state weather bureau also said that "Emong" is expected to make landfall over the Ilocos Region on Thursday night or early Friday morning, 25 July.

PAGASA said it may raise Wind Signal No. 4 for the region as the system has reached typhoon strength.

Wind Signal No. 3 is hoisted in the northern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani), the western portion of La Union (Luna, Baloaan, Bacnotan, San Juan, San Fernando City, Bauang, Caba, Bangar), and the southwestern portion of Ilocos Sur (San Esteban, Santiago, Candon City, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, and Tagudin).

Meanwhile, PAGASA is also monitoring Tropical Storm "Dante," which has edged closer to northern Luzon, tracking 735 km east northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, while maintaining 75 kph winds with gusts hitting up to 90 kph.

On the other hand, the tropical depression remained unnamed as it is located outside the Philippine area of responsibility. If it enters the country waters before another cyclone develops, it will take the local name "Fabian."