MANILA – Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi) is rapidly intensifying and is now approaching super typhoon strength as it heads toward Southern Luzon and the Eastern Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned in its 5 AM bulletin on Saturday (16 Nov 2024).
The storm is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 175 km/h near its center, with gusts reaching up to 215 km/h. As of 3 AM, it was located 250 km east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, and moving west-northwest at 25 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS)
TCWS No. 3 is in effect over parts of Luzon and Visayas, including:
Eastern Catanduanes
Eastern Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, Tabaco, Malilipot, Tiwi, Malinao)
Eastern Camarines Sur
Easternmost Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz)
Eastern Northern Samar and Northern Eastern Samar
Storm-force winds are expected in these areas.
TCWS No. 2 is raised in other areas of Luzon and Visayas, including:
Rest of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Ticao Island
Northern Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and parts of Samar
Gale-force winds are anticipated in these regions.
TCWS No. 1 is in effect over parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including:
Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, and nearby provinces
Leyte, Samar, and parts of Cebu, Biliran, and Iloilo
These areas will experience strong winds.
Potential Landfall and Storm Surge Threats
PAGASA forecasts Pepito may make landfall near Catanduanes late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, though a shift to other areas, including parts of Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Quezon, or Aurora, is still possible. The storm also poses a high risk of life-threatening storm surges, with peak heights exceeding 3 meters, especially in coastal areas of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Bicol, and Central Luzon.
Pepito is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday.
Stay tuned for updates from PAGASA and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.
ia/mnm
