Severe Tropical Storm Pepito exits PAR

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito, internationally known as Man-Yi, exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 18, as a severe tropical storm.

At its peak, Pepito was a super typhoon with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph.

Pepito made landfall twice as a super typhoon: first in Panganiban, Catanduanes, at 9:40 pm on Saturday, November 16, and then in Dipaculao, Aurora, at 3:20 pm on Sunday, November 17.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, the storm was located 410 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph, moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

PAGASA has lifted all wind signals associated with Pepito as it no longer directly affects the country, though very rough sea conditions are still expected over the coastal waters of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, and Babuyan Islands.

During Pepito's onslaught, it triggered moderate to torrential rain in much of Luzon and parts of the Visayas, with Signal No. 5 being the highest tropical cyclone wind signal raised.

The storm is expected to continue weakening over the West Philippine Sea and may become a remnant low by Wednesday.

Batanes may still experience cloudy skies with rains from moderate to heavy rainfall, with the potential for flash floods and landslides.