Typhoon Co-may (Emong) makes second landfall in Ilocos Sur, heavy rains kill 25 in Philippines
Typhoon Co-may (Emong) made its second landfall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur at 05:10 local time on July 25, 2025, weakening into a severe tropical storm as it crossed the Cordillera Administrative Region. At least 25 people have died and 8 remain missing in the Philippines following severe flooding and landslides triggered by southwest monsoon rains enhanced by tropical cyclones Wipha, Co-may and Francisco over the past 10 days.
Satellite image of Typhoon Co-may (Emong) as of 07:50 UTC on July 25, 2025. Credit JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Typhoon Co-may, locally known as Emong, made its second landfall in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, at 05:10 local time (LT) on July 25, weakening into a severe tropical storm as it crossed the mountainous terrain of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
In its 08:00 LT bulletin on July 25, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Emong was in the vicinity of San Isidro, Abra by 07:00 LT.
Sustained winds near the center decreased from 120 km/h (75 mph) to 100 km/h (62 mph), with maximum gusts of 165 km/h (103 mph). Its minimum central pressure rose from 975 hPa to 985 hPa following landfall.
The storm made its initial landfall in Agno, Pangasinan at 22:40 LT on July 24 before moving toward Ilocos Sur on July 25. It is the strongest tropical cyclone to impact this region of the Philippines in 16 years.
No immediate reports of deaths or injuries directly caused by Co-may, the fifth weather disturbance to affect the Philippines since the rainy season began last month, have been received. Forecasters expect more than a dozen tropical storms to affect the country for the remainder of the year.
The presence of Typhoon Co-may and Tropical Storm Francisco enhanced the southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat. This has brought heavy rains and severe flooding to parts of the Philippines, with approximately 1 000 mm (40 inches) of rainfall recorded in some areas since last week.
Disaster-response officials have reported at least 25 deaths since the previous weekend, mainly caused by flash floods, toppled trees, landslides, and electrocution. An additional eight people were reported missing.
The government closed schools in Metropolitan Manila for a third consecutive day on July 25 and suspended classes in 35 provinces across the northern region of Luzon. At least 77 towns and cities, mostly in Luzon, have declared a state of calamity, enabling the release of emergency funds and a freeze on commodity prices, including rice.
Prolonged stormy weather has forced approximately 278 000 people to evacuate to emergency shelters or relatives’ homes. Nearly 3 000 houses have been damaged, according to the government’s disaster response agency.
According to PAGASA’s 09:00 UTC bulletin on July 25, Co-may has passed close to Babuyan Islands and was nearing Batanges. The cyclone had maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h (55 mph) , with gusts to 115 km/h (72 mph), and was moving NNE at 40 km/h (25 mph).
Although Co-may has moved out to sea, the enhanced monsoon trailing behind it is expected to continue bringing heavy rainfall, particularly to the western coast of Luzon.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules.