‘Onyok’ intensifies into tropical storm as it moves west

Photo by dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression “Onyok” intensified into a tropical storm and is moving west, the state weather bureau said Saturday.

In its 11 a.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Onyok was last spotted at 870 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 1,105 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora.

Onyok is also packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The tropical storm was also spotted moving at 35 kph west-northwest.

Pagasa said that while Onyok is less likely to make landfall, it may intensify further into a severe tropical storm.

The state weather bureau added that Onyok’s trough will bring scattered light to moderate rain and thunderstorms over the Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.  /muf