Severe Tropical Storm Pepito to intensify into typhoon by Friday afternoon

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito, internationally known as Man-yi, entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, November 14.

As of PAGASA's 5 a.m. bulletin on November 15, Pepito was located 795 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

The storm is moving west at 25 kilometers per hour and is forecast to intensify into a typhoon within 12 hours, or by Friday afternoon, and potentially into a super typhoon by Saturday evening.

Pepito may make landfall at its peak intensity, with its "confidence cone" covering portions of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Eastern Visayas.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been raised over several areas in Luzon, including Catanduanes, parts of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur, parts of Albay, and parts of Sorsogon.

Heavy to intense rainfall is expected over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Sorsogon from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

From Saturday evening to Sunday evening, intense to torrential rainfall may affect Quezon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur, potentially causing widespread severe flooding and landslides.