The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported early Wednesday that cyclone ‘Opong’ has intensified into a tropical storm as it continues to approach the Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon areas.
The latest weather disturbance is forecast to make a possible landfall over the Bicol region by Friday afternoon (September 26) and is expected to cross Southern Luzon. As of 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, no tropical cyclone wind signals have been hoisted yet.
“It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone,” PAGASA noted in its advisory. “Furthermore, the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.”
PAGASA warned that ‘Opong’ will continue to intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday evening (September 25). It is likely to exit the Philippine area of responsibility over the weekend.
‘Opong’ was last monitored at 855 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, moving west southwestward at 20 km per hour (kph). It had maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
According to PAGASA, the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat’ is responsible for occasional rains being experienced over the provinces of Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro. It is also the prevailing weather system for Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon as well as Visayas.
Mindanao, meanwhile, experiences partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms attributed to localized thunderstorms. Forecasters cautioned the general public against possible flashfloods and landslides due to these weather conditions.
