MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) maintained its strength Thursday morning as it moved closer to Eastern Visayas, according to PAGASA.
At 10 a.m., the storm’s center was located 335 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts reaching up to 135 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 25 kph.
Signal №2 was raised over parts of Bicol, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and northern Biliran, where gale-force winds may pose a minor to moderate threat to life and property.
Signal №1, meanwhile, was in effect over Metro Manila, Central Luzon (including Pampanga), CALABARZON, Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, large portions of Visayas, and parts of Northern Mindanao.
PAGASA warned of very rough seas along the eastern seaboards of Luzon and Visayas, making sea travel dangerous. A storm surge of up to three meters is also possible within 36 hours in coastal areas of Metro Manila, Bicol, CALABARZON, Central Luzon, Mindoro, and parts of Eastern Visayas.
Opong is expected to either pass close to Northern Samar or make landfall over the Bicol Region by Friday morning or afternoon before crossing Southern Luzon. The storm could intensify into a typhoon before landfall, weaken while crossing the archipelago, and re-intensify once it exits into the West Philippine Sea this weekend.
Authorities urged residents in high-risk areas to prepare for possible flooding, strong winds, and storm surges, and to follow evacuation orders from local officials.
