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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Opong' may continue to intensify; raising of Signal No. 4 possible

'Opong' may continue to intensify; raising of Signal No. 4 possible

Published Sep 25, 2025 11:57 am
PAGASA
PAGASA
Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) may continue to intensify over the Philippine Sea and possibly reach typhoon strength before landfall in Bicol Region by Friday morning or afternoon, Sept. 26, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Thursday, Sept. 25.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the severe tropical storm had maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
PAGASA said that while Opong is likely to continue strengthening and could peak at typhoon category before landfall, but “marginally favorable conditions” also mean it may remain a severe tropical storm upon hitting land.
It added that once over land, Opong is expected to weaken but could reintensify after emerging over the West Philippine Sea.
At 10 a.m., Thursday, the center of Opong was estimated at 335 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and was moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.
“Opong will continue moving west-northwestward while approaching Eastern Visayas-Southern Luzon area. On the forecast track, it may pass close to Northern Samar or may make landfall over Bicol Region by tomorrow morning or early afternoon (Sept. 26) and cross Southern Luzon throughout Friday,” PAGASA said.
It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, Sept. 27.
With Opong’s approach, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was in effect over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, northern portion of Masbate (Aroroy, Baleno, City of Masbate, Mobo, Uson, Dimasalang, Palanas, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz), including Ticao and Burias Islands, Northern Samar, northern and central Eastern Samar (Can-avid, Maslog, San Policarpo, Taft, Dolores, Jipapad, Oras, Arteche, Sulat, San Julian), northern and central Samar (San Jorge, Calbayog City, Catbalogan City, Gandara, Zumarraga, Villareal, Pinabacdao, Paranas, and nearby towns), and northern portion of Biliran (Almeria, Kawayan, Maripipi, Culaba).
Areas under Signal No. 2 may experience gale-force winds within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, areas under Signal No. 1, where strong winds are possible within 36 hours, include the central and southern portions of Isabela (Alicia, San Mateo, Aurora, Ramon, Naguilian, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, Luna, Cauayan City, Echague, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, Santiago City, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Gamu, San Isidro, Cordon, Jones, Burgos, San Mariano, Palanan), Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, southwestern portion of Mountain Province (Bauko, Sabangan, Tadian), Benguet, southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sugpon, Alilem), La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, and the rest of Masbate in Luzon.
In the Visayas, the rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, the rest of Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, Tabogon, San Remigio, Borbon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Catmon, Tuburan, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Compostela), including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, northern portion of Negros Occidental (Escalante City, Toboso, Calatrava, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Victorias City, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City), northern portion of Iloilo (San Dionisio, Batad, Balasan, Carles, Sara, Concepcion, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, Banate, Anilao, San Enrique, Passi City, Bingawan, Calinog, Lambunao, Dueñas, Dingle), Capiz, Aklan, and northern portion of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-an, Caluya) are under Signal No. 1.
In Mindanao, Siargao Island, Bucas Grande Islands, and Dinagat Islands are also placed under the same wind signal.
Brace for heavy rains, storm surges
Aside from damaging winds, the storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall across Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and parts of Southern Luzon.
PAGASA warned that Opong would bring heavy to intense rains (100 to 200 millimeters) over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Sorsogon, Masbate, Samar, and Biliran on Thursday.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains (50 to 100 mm) may affect Catanduanes, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Dinagat Islands.
On Friday, intense to torrential rains (more than 200 mm) may prevail over Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Albay, Quezon, and Marinduque.
Heavy to intense rainfall may affect Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Samar, and Biliran, while moderate to heavy rains may persist in Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Cebu, Southern Leyte, and Leyte.
By Saturday, moderate to heavy rainfall may prevail over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.
The southwest monsoon (habagat), enhanced by Opong, may also bring moderate to heavy rains over Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.
On Friday, moderate to heavy precipitation may prevail over Palawan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental.
By Saturday, moderate to heavy rainfall may persist in Palawan, Antique, Aklan, and Negros Occidental.
PAGASA also raised storm surge warnings of one to three meters over low-lying and coastal areas in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and Leyte within 36 hours.
The weather bureau advised residents of affected areas to prepare for severe winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, landslides, and coastal inundation, while fisherfolk and small vessels were urged not to venture into the eastern seaboards where sea conditions remain very rough to high.

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SEVERE TROPICAL STORM OPONG BUALOI PAGASA SIGNAL NO. 4 LANDFALL
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