Opong keeps strength, Signal No. 2 raised in 10 areas

Severe Tropical Storm Opong maintained its strength Thursday morning as more areas were placed under Signal No. 2, based on PAGASA's 11 am advisory

Areas Signal No. 2

• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• The northern portion of Masbate (Aroroy, Baleno, City of Masbate, Mobo,Uson, Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan,Pio V. Corpuz) including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Northern Samar
• The northern and central portions of Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, Maslog, San Policarpo, Taft, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche, Sulat, San Julian)
• The northern and central portions of Samar (San Jorge, San Sebastian, Villareal, Zumarraga, Matuguinao, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, City of Catbalogan, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, San Jose de Buan, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Hinabangan)
• The northern portion of Biliran (Almeria, Kawayan, Maripipi, Culaba)

Signal No. 1

• The central and southern portions of Isabela (Alicia, San Mateo, Aurora, Ramon, Naguilian, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Luna, City of Cauayan,Echague, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Gamu, San Isidro, Cordon, Jones, Burgos, San Mariano, Palanan)
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Ifugao
• The southwestern portion of Mountain Province (Bauko, Sabangan, Tadian)
• Benguet
• The southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon, Alilem)
• La Union, Pangasinan
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Tarlac
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Rizal
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Laguna
• Quezon
• Romblon
• Marinduque
• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Calamian Islands
• The rest of Masbate
• The rest of Eastern Samar
• The rest of Samar
• The rest of Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• The northern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Borbon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Catmon, Tuburan, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Compostela) including Camotes and Bantayan Islands
• The northern portion of Negros Occidental (City of Escalante, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay)
• The northern portion of Iloilo (San Dionisio, Batad, Balasan, Carles, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, City of Passi, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Dueñas, Dingle)
• Capiz
• Aklan
• The northern portion of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-An, Caluya)
• Siargao Island
• Bucas Grande Islands
• Dinagat Islands

Tracking

Opong was last spotted 335 km East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar packing maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 135 km/h, and central pressure of 980 hPa.

PAGASA said that the highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of Opong is Wind Signal No. 4.

"OPONG will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category before making landfall over the Bicol Region," PAGASA said.

It also said that the Southwest Monsoon,which is being enhanced by Nando and Opong, will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

• Today: Ilocos Region, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Palawan, Visayas (areas not under Wind Signal), Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Caraga (areas not under Wind Signal), Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
• Tomorrow (26 September): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Palawan, Visayas (areas not under Wind Signal), Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
• Saturday (27 September): Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, and Ilocos Region.

PAGASA said that Opong will continue moving west northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas – Southern Luzon area. It may pass close to Northern Samar or may make landfall over Bicol Region by Friday morning or early afternoon.

Opong is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday afternoon or evening. —VAL, GMA Integrated News