Tropical Storm Maymay (Kujira) brings deadly landslides and widespread school closures in the Philippines

Tropical Storm Maymay, also known internationally as Kujira, intensified to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and gusts up to 110 km/h. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 for large parts of northern Luzon, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet and Mountain Province, and Signal No. 1 for surrounding areas.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) was placed on full alert, and the government mobilised rescue teams, pre‑emptive evacuations and pumping operations. The Department of Social Welfare and Development set aside ₱1.8 million for humanitarian aid and distributed food and sleeping kits to affected provinces. Classes were suspended on August 6 in the National Capital Region and 22 provinces, with universities shifting to online learning.

At least two people were killed and another injured when a landslide struck an eatery in La Trinidad, Benguet. Strong winds toppled trees and blocked roads in Vigan City, and about 1,660 airline passengers were affected by flight cancellations. By August 6 the system had weakened to a tropical depression while crossing Abra and Kalinga, still producing heavy rain across northern Luzon.

The Hong Kong Observatory reported that Kujira remained well east of Hong Kong, posing no direct threat, while nearby Typhoon Dolphin intensified and reinforced the southwest monsoon over the Philippines.