Metro Manila to face 'Opong' impact - PAGASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Wednesday, Sept. 24, warned Metro Manila to brace for strong winds and heavy rains starting Friday afternoon as Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) continues to intensify over the Philippine Sea.

- By ELLALYN RUIZ

PAGASA issued the warning on Wednesday, Sept. 24, as it raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in parts of Eastern Visayas.

As of 11 a.m., Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar, where strong winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour (kph) may be experienced within 36 hours, PAGASA said.

The center of Opong was located 815 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao at 10 a.m.

It had maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, while moving west-southwestward at 15 kph.

PAGASA said Opong may continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and could reach typhoon category before making landfall over Bicol region on Friday, Sept. 26.