Tropical Depression 'Opong' enters PAR — PAGASA

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Opong has entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 4:00 p.m., PAGASA said the center of  Opong was located 1,045 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, moving west-southwestward at 10 kilometers per hour (kph).

It packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph.

The tropical depression is expected to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach severe tropical storm category by Thursday, September 25, afternoon.

PAGASA has said that the highest wind signal that could be hoisted during its passage is Wind Signal No. 3.

Opong is not expected to directly affect the country's weather in the next 36 hours. However, the onset of heavy rains is possible by Thursday onwards.

Coastal flooding and gale warning. There is a potential risk of coastal flooding due to storm surge in low-lying areas of Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

PAGASA may issue a gale warning as early as Thursday afternoon, anticipating rough to very rough sea conditions.

Wind signals. Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region as early as tomorrow, September 24.

Monsoon rains. The southwest monsoon, locally known as “habagat,” enhanced by both Typhoon Nando and Tropical Depression Opong, will bring strong to gale-force gusts to most of Luzon and Western Visayas starting tomorrow.

On its forecast track, Opong may pass close to or make landfall over Northern Samar by early Friday morning and is expected to cross the Southern Luzon area until Friday evening or early Saturday.