Tropical Storm Man-yi to enter PAR by Thursday evening

Tropical Storm Man-yi, to be named Pepito locally, is strengthening and forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Thursday evening.

As of Thursday morning, Man-yi was located 1,375 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gusts of up to 105 kph.

The storm is moving west-southwest at 25 kph and may intensify into a severe tropical storm before entering PAR, and potentially a typhoon by Friday morning.

PAGASA warned that the storm could strengthen further, with rapid intensification not ruled out, and could even reach super typhoon category before hitting land.

Potential landfall is forecast between Saturday night and Sunday morning in the northern part of Eastern Visayas or the Bicol region.

Southern Luzon, Central Luzon, and Eastern Visayas are warned to expect significant rain in the coming days.