Severe Tropical Storm Opong Strengthens, Threatens Bicol Region with Possible Typhoon Landfall

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Tropical Cyclone Opong has escalated into a severe tropical storm. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, the system was situated approximately 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts reaching up to 115 kilometers per hour.

PAGASA issued Signal No. 2 warnings for Northern Samar and the northern part of Eastern Samar, including municipalities such as San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, and Arteche, where gale-force winds are expected. Signal No. 1 has been raised for Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Samar, the remainder of Eastern Samar, Biliran, and the northern areas of Leyte including Barugo and Tacloban City, signaling the onset of strong winds.

The southwest monsoon (habagat) is simultaneously generating strong to gale-force gusts across a wide swath of regions. These include the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Cagayan and Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, and parts of Mindanao such as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated in Northern Samar and Eastern Samar due to Opong, while the southwest monsoon will also trigger significant precipitation over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

PAGASA has cautioned that there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surges, with waves projected to reach heights of one to three meters within the coming 24 hours. Vulnerable coastal communities in Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran are especially at risk.

Authorities warn that Opong is expected to continue intensifying and may achieve typhoon strength before its anticipated landfall in the Bicol Region on Friday, urging residents and local governments to prepare accordingly.