MANILA, Philippines — Fewer provinces remain under Signal No. 3 as Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” moves over Mindoro Strait, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Friday, September 26, PAGASA last spotted Opong over the coastal waters of Occidental Mindoro, packing a maximum wind speed of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 135 kph.
Opong already made landfall over Eastern Samar and Oriental Mindoro and reached typhoon strength late Thursday evening.
The storm continues to move west-northwestward at 20 kph and is expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Saturday afternoon, September 27.
Wind signals
PAGASA has kept Wind Signal No. 3 as the highest tropical cyclone wind signal hoisted due to Opong.
Signal No. 3 (storm-force winds in 18 hours)
Luzon
- Occidental Mindoro
- Calamian Islands
Moderate to significant impact is expected under Signal No. 3.
Signal No. 2 (gale-force winds in 24 hours)
Luzon
- southern portion of Cavite (Magallanes, Mendez, Ternate, Amadeo, Naic, Maragondon, Alfonso, Tagaytay City, Trece Martires City, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Indang, Silang)
- Batangas
- Marinduque
- western portion of Romblon (San Jose, Odiongan, San Andres, Calatrava, San Agustin, Alcantara, Santa Fe, Santa Maria, Concepcion, Looc, Ferrol, Banton, Corcuera)
- Cuyo Islands
- extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Araceli)
Visayas
- Caluya Islands
Minor to moderate impact is projected under Signal No. 2.
Signal No. 1
Luzon
- Pangasinan
- southern portion of Aurora (Dingalan, Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)
- Nueva Ecija
- Tarlac
- Zambales
- Bataan
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- Metro Manila
- Rizal
- the rest of Cavite
- Laguna
- Quezon
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Masbate
- rest of Romblon, and the northern portion of mainland Palawan (Dumaran, San Vicente, Roxas)
Visayas
- Aklan
- Antique
- Capiz
- Iloilo
- Guimaras
- northern portion of Negros Occidental (City of Talisay, Bacolod City, Bago City, Murcia, Valladolid, Pulupandan, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, City of Escalante, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, Hinigaran)
- Bantayan Islands
Minimal to minor impact is expected under Signal No. 1
Sea conditions
PAGASA has warned mariners from venturing into the sea while Opong causes very rough to very high waters along the coastal waters of Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, Luban Island and other provinces in Luzon.
Forecast track
The state weather bureau also said that Opong may re-intensify into a typhoon within the next 12 hours as it gains strength from the West Philippine Sea.
Although some areas may not be hit by the landfall points and forecast confidence cones, PAGASA said localities outside may still experience heavy rainfall, severe winds and storm surges.
