Opong a severe tropical storm; Signal No. 2 in Samar provinces

Tropical Storm Opong has intensified into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday afternoon, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 2 p.m., Opong was monitored 705 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 115 kilometers per hour.

The severe tropical storm is also moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, PAGASA added.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Ragasa, which was formerly known as Nando, remains outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar as Opong intensified into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday afternoon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

The towns in Eastern Samar under Signal No. 2 are: San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, and Arteche. 

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1: 

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay 
• Sorsogon 
• Masbate 
• Visayas 
• Samar 
• The rest of Eastern Samar 
• Biliran
• Northern portion of Leyte (Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, Palo) 

The center of Opong was monitored at 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. It has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 115 kilometers per hour. 

The severe tropical storm is also moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, PAGASA added. 

Opong is expected to make landfall over the Bicol Region by Friday morning or afternoon, September 26 and cross southern Luzon throughout Friday, said PAGASA. 

However, the state seismologists stated that Opong will continue to intensify as it moves over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category before making landfall in the Bicol Region. 

Further, the severe tropical storm may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, September 27. 

On the other hand, the weather forecast showed that Opong may bring rain with gusty winds over Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar. 

Meanwhile, cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms may be experienced over Bicol Region, Central Visayas, Quezon, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Isabela, Aurora, and the rest of Eastern Visayas due to the severe tropical storm. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF/NB, GMA Integrated News