Severe Tropical Storm Opong Intensifies, Prompting Warnings Across Eastern Visayas

Severe Tropical Storm Opong, internationally known as Bualoi, intensified considerably over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday afternoon, September 24. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) responded by issuing Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 for sections of Eastern Visayas.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA reported Opong’s position at 670 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. The storm exhibited maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts reaching 115 kilometers per hour. It was advancing west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour.

Consequently, Signal No. 2 was raised for Northern Samar and the northern part of Eastern Samar, covering municipalities including San Policarpo, Oras, Jipapad, and Arteche. Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was declared over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Samar, the remaining areas of Eastern Samar, Biliran, and northern Leyte—specifically Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Calubian, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, and Palo.

PAGASA clarified that regions under Signal No. 2 could experience minor to moderate effects from gale-force winds, whereas those under Signal No. 1 may encounter minimal to minor impacts due to strong winds. The agency further indicated that the highest wind signal expected during Opong’s transit could be Signal No. 4.

Forecast tracks suggest that Opong will continue moving west-northwestward, potentially making landfall in the Bicol region by Friday, September 26, either during the morning or afternoon. The storm is then expected to traverse Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila.

Initially forecasted as a severe tropical storm at landfall, Opong’s recent intensification raises the possibility of it reaching typhoon status before impact. PAGASA noted that proximity to Metro Manila could necessitate raising Signal No. 3 or 4 warnings for the area.

The storm is predicted to weaken somewhat while crossing Luzon but is anticipated to regain strength upon entering the West Philippine Sea, before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday, September 27.

Heavy rainfall is also a significant concern. From Wednesday until the afternoon of Thursday, September 25, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar are expected to receive moderate to heavy rains amounting to 50 to 100 millimeters. From Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar may face intense to torrential rains exceeding 200 millimeters.

Other provinces such as Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte and Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Samar, and Biliran might experience heavy to intense rainfall ranging between 100 and 200 millimeters. Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains are forecast for Isabela, Cavite, parts of Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna, Aurora, Romblon, and various Visayan provinces.

The southwest monsoon (habagat), intensified by Super Typhoon Ragasa and Severe Tropical Storm Opong, will bring additional rainfall to Palawan, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, and parts of Negros Occidental and Oriental from Thursday afternoon to Saturday afternoon.

PAGASA also issued warnings about storm surge and turbulent seas along Opong’s path. Coastal areas in Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran could experience storm surges between one and three meters within 24 hours.

Seas near the eastern coasts of Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Catanduanes, Dinagat Islands, and Davao Oriental are expected to become rough, featuring waves up to three meters. PAGASA strongly advised small vessel operators to avoid traveling under these dangerous conditions.