AS of 10:00 PM on Thursday, the center of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Opong was located approximately 595 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, or 660 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte. The system’s coordinates were recorded at 10.4°N latitude and 130.9°E longitude.
STS Opong is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) near its center, with gusts reaching up to 125 km/h. The storm’s central pressure is estimated at 985 hPa, and it is moving west-northwestward at a speed of 15 km/h.
Strong to storm-force winds extend outward up to 450 kilometers from the center, indicating a wide area of influence.
Wind Signals in Effect
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 over the following areas:
- Northern Samar
- Northern portion of Eastern Samar, including the municipalities of San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, and Arteche
Residents in these areas should expect gale-force winds within the next 24 hours, with wind speeds ranging from 62 to 88 km/h, corresponding to Beaufort scale 8 to 9.
Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1
Luzon:
- Quezon Province, including the Polillo Islands
- Rizal
- Laguna
- Southeastern portion of Batangas, including the cities and municipalities of Cuenca, Taysan, Lobo, Talisay, Padre Garcia, Agoncillo, San Pascual, Santo Tomas, Bauan, San Jose, San Luis, Lipa City, Ibaan, Tanauan City, Mabini, Mataasnakahoy, Alitagtag, Balete, Tingloy, San Juan, San Nicolas, Batangas City, Rosario, Santa Teresita, Taal, Malvar, and Laurel
- Marinduque
- Oriental Mindoro
- Romblon
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate, including Ticao Island and Burias Island
Visayas:
- Samar
- The rest of Eastern Samar
- Biliran
- Northern portion of Leyte, including Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, and Palo
Advisory
Residents in areas under TCWS are advised to remain vigilant and monitor updates from PAGASA and local disaster risk reduction and management councils. Precautionary measures should be taken against possible flooding, landslides, and strong winds.| – Kabayannews.net
