Tropical cyclone Pepito enters PAR, may hit Bicol over weekend

Tropical cyclone Man-Yi, known locally as Pepito, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday night and may affect parts of the Bicol region and potentially Metro Manila over the weekend.

Pepito is the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines in 2024, coinciding with typhoon Ofel affecting northeastern Luzon.

According to Amor Larrosa's report for GMA News 24 Oras, Pepito carries maximum sustained winds of up to 85 kph and gusts reaching 105 kph, moving west-southwest at a speed of 30 kph.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts that Pepito may hit the Bicol region late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, with possible impacts on CALABARZON, Metro Manila, and Central Luzon.

Due to potential effects of Pepito, several local governments have suspended classes in schools and work in government offices for Friday, November 15.

Specific areas affected include Albay province, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes province, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Quirino province, parts of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Isabela, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Guiuan, Northern Samar, and Samar.