MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) prompted the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over some parts of the country on Thursday evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
In its 11 p.m. bulletin, Pagasa raised the TCWS No. 1 over the following areas:
Luzon
- Catanduanes
- Eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Presentacion, San Jose, Lagonoy)
- Eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Bacacay, Legazpi City, Malinao, Manito, Tiwi)
- Eastern and southern portions of Sorsogon (Juban, City of Sorsogon, Barcelona, Bulusan, Magallanes, Gubat, Santa Magdalena, Casiguran, Bulan, Irosin, Matnog, Prieto Diaz)
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Visayas
- Northern Samar
- Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Oras)
- Northeastern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan)
Areas under this wind signal may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds.
Pagasa added that “[t]he highest wind signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of Pepito is Wind Signal No. 5.”
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Furthermore, Pagasa located Pepito 995 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, moving westward at 35 kilometers per hour (kph) and carrying a maximum wind speed of 100 kph and gustiness of up to 125 kph.
Pepito is forecast to intensify into a typhoon by Friday and may develop into a super typhoon by Saturday afternoon where “rapid intensification is likely.”