Signal No. 1 up in some Luzon, Visayas areas due to Pepito

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 raised over some areas in Luzon and Visayas as of 11 p.m., Thursday, November 14. (Photo by Pagasa/Facebook)

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)

READ: Pepito enters PAR, may become a typhoon

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.”

READ: Hundreds queue at Legazpi terminal to rush home as new storm approaches

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.”