Severe Tropical Storm Opong makes landfall in Eastern Samar, weakens slightly

Severe Tropical Storm Opong, locally named Bualoi, made its first landfall over San Policarpo, Eastern Samar, at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday.

As of 8:00 a.m. Friday, the storm has weakened to 110 kph sustained winds and 150 kph gusts, and was located over the coastal waters of Mandaon, Masbate.

It is now heading toward Romblon, threatening to bring destructive winds and torrential rains.

The storm is moving West Northwestward at 30 kph and is expected to make another landfall over Romblon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3, indicating storm-force winds, is hoisted over several areas in Luzon and the Visayas, including Sorsogon, Masbate, Albay, Camarines Sur, southern Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, southern Laguna, western Northern Samar, western Samar, extreme northern Biliran, northwestern Capiz, northern Aklan, and the Caluya Islands.