‘Opong’ may intensify into severe tropical storm before Bicol landfall

Tropical cyclone Opong (international name: Bualoi) intensified into a tropical storm on Wednesday, Sept. 24, and may further strengthen into a severe tropical storm before making landfall by Friday, Sept. 26, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

- By ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ

As of 4 a.m., the center of Opong was estimated at 855 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao, withmaximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Itwas moving west-southwestward at 20 kph.

PAGASA weather specialist Lorie-din de la Cruz-Galicia said the storm was not yet directly affecting the country, but its wide circulation would begin to impact many areas toward the weekend.

She noted that parts of Visayas, almost the entire Southern Luzon, and portions of Central Luzon may experience rains from Friday until Saturday, Sept. 26 to 27.

Landfall