MANILA – Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (Man-yi), which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday night, has intensified and is nearing typhoon status, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported early Friday (15 Nov 2024).
Pepito currently has maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts of up to 135 kph. As of 4 a.m., it was located 795 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 raised over parts of the Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and portions of Samar.
Residents in affected areas are warned of potential life-threatening storm surges up to 3 meters over coastal regions, including parts of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar. PAGASA forecasts Pepito’s potential landfall along Central and/or Southern Luzon’s eastern coast this weekend, with a projected exit from PAR by Monday.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Ofel (Usagi) has weakened, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gusts reaching 150 kph. TCWS No. 3 remains in effect for portions of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte, while other nearby areas are under TCWS Nos. 2 and 1. Ofel is expected to exit PAR by Friday afternoon.
Moderate to heavy rains are anticipated in Cagayan, Batanes, and Ilocos Norte due to the combined effects of Pepito and Ofel, with risky sea conditions prevailing around Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and northern Ilocos Norte.
ia/mnm
