PAGASA raises Signal 1 in parts of Visayas as Opong intensifies

Metro Manila, Philippines - The country is bracing for another storm as the weather bureau raised the lowest storm alert in a portion of the Visayas on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Signal No. 1 on Samar island as Tropical Cyclone Opong (international name: Bualoi) intensified at sea on Wednesday, Sept. 24, approaches eastern Visayas and southern Luzon.

The agency forecast moderate to heavy rains on Wednesday in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro, while the same condition is expected on Thursday for other parts of the Visayas and Luzon, with Sorsogon and Northern Samar to have intense to torrential rains.

The habagat may bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas on Wednesday: Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Sarangani, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

PAGASA said “Opong” may reach typhoon category before hitting land in Bicol on Friday afternoon, adding that it may slightly weaken over land but will remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm, re-intensify over the West Philippine Sea.

“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,” the bureau said.

“Opong” was last seen 815 kilometers (km) east of northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

NewsWatch Plus intern Jhon Paul contributed to this report.