MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Paeng may make landfall on the coast of Aurora or Quezon province over the weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Thursday.
Pagasa even raised the possibility of a landfall in the Bicol region as Paeng’s track shifted southward.
On the forecast track, Paeng may pass close to Catanduanes on Saturday, and a landfall scenario is possible on Sunday on the eastern coast of Aurora or Quezon.
Pagasa has issued a new warning, saying that a possible landfall in the eastern Bicol Region cannot be ruled out at this time, noting that the predicted trajectory had changed and moved southward.
Paeng may turn into a typhoon on Sunday before slamming those areas.
“It is forecast to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and may intensify into a typhoon by Saturday. The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out,” it added.
The center of Paeng was estimated 510 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
The following areas are under the tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1:
Luzon: The eastern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island
Visayas: Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran and Northern Portion of Leyte
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