"Emong" has weakened into a tropical storm and is now passing close to the Babuyan Islands, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.

The center of Tropical Storm "Emong" was estimated over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan, and had maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (km/h) with gusts of up to 115 km/h.

Signal No. 2 is in effect over the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Adams, Burgos, Bangui), the northern portion of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna, Santa Marcela), Batanes, Babuyan Island, and the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Camalaniugan, Buguey, Aparri, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes) .

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is hoisted over The rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Burgos, City of Candon, Santiago, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Sinait, Sigay, San Ildefonso, Galimuyod, Quirino, City of Vigan, San Emilio, Cabugao, Caoayan, San Juan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo, Cervantes), Abra, the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, the rest of mainland Cagayan, and the northern portion of Isabela (Quirino, Mallig, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Roxas, San Manuel)

PAGASA said a minimal to moderate risk storm surge with peak heights reaching one to two meters within 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur is possible.

"Emong" is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday morning, 26 July.