More areas under storm alerts for ‘Pepito’; ‘Ofel’ out of PAR but may reenter

Metro Manila, Philippines — Authorities have placed more areas under storm alerts in parts of Luzon and the Visayas on Friday afternoon, Nov. 15, due to Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).

As this developed, Severe Tropical Storm Ofel (Usagi) is out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) but may re-enter the monitoring zone on Friday evening, the weather bureau said.

Here is the latest from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the two strong tropical cyclones.

Storm signals

For “Pepito,” PAGASA raised Signal No 2 over the eastern portion of Northern Samar, the northern portion of Eastern Samar, and the northeastern portion of Samar.

Areas under Signal No. 1 were Aurora, Quezon, the eastern portion of Laguna, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate in Luzon; while the rest of Northern Samar, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, and Biliran in the Visayas.

For “Ofel,” PAGASA downgraded the storm alert to Signal No. 1 over Batanes.

“Pepito” continues to intensify

As of 5 p.m., heavy rainfall is expected over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Sorsogon on Friday, PAGASA said.

It said “Pepito” will then drench large portions of Luzon and the Visayas at the weekend.

PAGASA said it could reach super typhoon strength before possible landfall in Catanduanes on Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.

“However, considering the limits of the forecast confidence cone, a landfall scenario over the eastern coast of Camarines Sur, Albay, or Sorsogon during the same time frame, over the eastern coast of Northern Samar tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon or evening, or along the eastern coast of Quezon or Aurora on Sunday afternoon or evening remains not ruled out,” the bureau said.

According to the forecast, “Pepito” could pass the Bicol region, Quezon, Central Luzon provinces, and Pangasinan before reaching the West Philippine Sea on Sunday evening or Monday morning.

PAGASA has issued a storm surge warning for the coastal areas of Albay, Camarines Sur Catanduanes, portion of Quezon, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Aurora, Batangas, Biliran, portion of Camarines Sur, Marinduque, portion of Quezon, and west of Masbate.

“Ofel” seen to return to PAR

As of 5 p.m., “Ofel” left the PAR in a weakening trend.

PAGASA said “Ofel” would re-enter the weather disturbance monitoring zone as it heads towards Taiwan.

The weather bureau said a storm signal may still be raised in extreme northern Luzon.