By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
After entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) late on Tuesday, Opong intensified into a severe tropical storm as it moved over the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration’s (PAGASA) 5:00 p.m. bulletin.
Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) was last located 670 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gustiness of up to 115 km/h, as it moves west-northwestward at 20 km/h.
Due to Opong’s closer proximity to the Philippine landmass, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has already been hoisted in Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, and Arteche).
TCWS No. 1
- Catanduanes
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate
- Samar
- Rest of Eastern Samar
- Biliran
- Northern portion of Leyte (Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Palo)
The state weather bureau, meanwhile, noted that Opong may begin moving west-northwestward as it approaches the Eastern Visayas–Southern Luzon area and may continue to intensify into typhoon category before making landfall over Bicol Region by Friday morning or afternoon and crossing Southern Luzon throughout Friday (Sept. 26).
While the weather system is likely to weaken as it crosses the archipelago, it is expected to remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm before possibly re-intensifying as it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
av
