Typhoon Rolly nears super typhoon strength, to hit Quezon

Typhoon Rolly, the strongest tropical cyclone globally in 2020, is intensifying and expected to make landfall over Quezon.

As of Saturday morning, the typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gusts of up to 265 kph, nearing super typhoon strength.

PAGASA forecasts that Typhoon Rolly will bring intense rain to parts of Luzon starting Saturday evening, even before its expected landfall.

The typhoon's center was located 540 kilometers east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, moving westward at 20 kph.

The center of the eye of the typhoon is forecast to pass very close to Catanduanes and mainland Camarines provinces Sunday morning, and over the Polillo Islands and mainland Quezon Sunday afternoon or early evening.

PAGASA did not rule out the possibility of 'Rolly' making landfall over Catanduanes and the Camarines provinces.

During its traverse over Luzon, 'Rolly' is forecast to weaken considerably and emerge as a severe tropical storm or minimal typhoon over the West Philippine Sea.