Manila: Tropical Depression Opong maintained its strength while moving over the Philippine Sea. In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Opong was last spotted 980 km east of northeastern Mindanao. Opong packs maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving west southwest at 15 kph. No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted. Opong is expected to bring heavy rains starting Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 will be hoisted over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region as early as Wednesday. Opong is seen to reach severe tropical storm category and enhance the southwest monsoon. Opong may make landfall over the Bicol Region on Friday and will cross Southern Luzon from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, Super Typhoon Ragasa (formerly Nando) was last tracked 630 km west of Itbayat, Batanes outside PAR, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph. It is moving northwest at 20 kph. TCWS No. 1 remains hoisted over Batanes, the northwestern portion of Cagayan including the western portion of Babuyan Islands, the northern and central portions of Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.
