Typhoon Pepito enters PAR, landfall expected Saturday evening or Sunday morning

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito, internationally named Man-yi, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday evening, intensifying into the 15th storm to enter the country this year.

As of Friday morning, Pepito underwent rapid intensification and is now classified as a typhoon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is raised over the eastern portion of Northern Samar and the northern portion of Eastern Samar.

Signal No. 1 is in effect over several areas in Luzon, including Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and southeastern Quezon.

Signal No. 1 is also raised over Samar, Biliran, and the rest of Northern and Eastern Samar.

As of Friday morning, Pepito was located 630 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, moving westward at 30 kph with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

Landfall is expected in the vicinity of Catanduanes on Saturday evening or Sunday early morning, with other coastal areas of Luzon and Eastern Visayas remaining possibilities.