The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday reported that tropical cyclone “Opong” (international name: Bualoi) has intensified into a severe tropical storm over the Philippine Sea.
Moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph), Opong was last estimated 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
According to the state weather bureau’s 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin on Wednesday, the severe tropical storm has maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gusts of up to 115 kph.
It is forecast to begin moving west-northwestward as it approaches the Eastern Visayas and the southern Luzon area.
On the forecast track, Opong could make landfall over the Bicol Region by Friday morning or afternoon and cross southern Luzon throughout the same day.
Afterward, it will continue moving generally west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Saturday.
Opong will continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea, possibly reaching typhoon category before making landfall over Bicol. It will then weaken as it crosses the archipelago, though it will likely remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm during its passage.
Re-intensification is said to be highly likely once the tropical cyclone emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in northern Samar and the northern portion of eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, Arteche).
Signal No. 1 was likewise hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Samar, the rest of eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte (Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Palo).
