By Brian Campued
Tropical Storm Opong further intensifies Wednesday morning, as it traverses the Philippine Sea towards Eastern Visayas – Southern Luzon area.
In an 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar—with more areas in Luzon and Visayas to be included in the coming bulletins as Opong approaches the landmass.
“Considering na aakyat pa ito o lalakas pa itong si Bagyong Opong bilang isang typhoon, posible po ang hanggang Wind Signal No. 4,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said in a public briefing, adding that strong winds may destroy structures, flatten farmlands, and down trees.
Opong was last located 815 km east of northeastern Mindanao and is moving west-southwestward at 15 kph. It now packs maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of up to 105 kph.
“Itong Bagyong Opong, sa ngayon po, ay wala pang direktang epekto sa alin mang panig ng ating bansa,” Estareja said.
Based on the track forecast, Estareja said Opong will intensify into severe tropical storm strength within the day and may reach typhoon category by Thursday, Sept. 25, before making landfall over Bicol Region by Friday, Sept. 26.
Between Friday to Saturday, Sept. 27, Opong will pass over the northern portion of Samar and the northern portion of Southern Luzon, including Bicol Region, CALABARZON, the northern portion of MIMAROPA, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon.
It will remain as a typhoon until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between Saturday evening or Sunday morning, Sept. 28.
However, PAGASA said the tropical cyclone’s track may also shift towards the north or to the south due to its area of probability.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon (habagat) is still affecting the western section of the country, bringing moderate to heavy rains over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro until Thursday noon.
By Thursday noon, intense to torrential rains brought by Opong are forecast over Sorsogon and Northern Samar until Friday noon; heavy to intense rains are likewise expected in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Masbate, Eastern Samar, and Samar.
Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, Isabela, Aurora, Aklan, Capiz, Biliran, and Leyte will also experience moderate to heavy rains due to Opong during the same period.
Metro Manila will begin experiencing heavy to intense rains due to Opong starting Friday noon, Estareja said.
-jpv
