Tropical cyclone Paeng has intensified into a tropical storm, now packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the weather bureau said Thursday.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu), and the eastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, Gubat, Barcelona, Bulusan, Santa Magdalena, Irosin, Juban, Casiguran, City of Sorsogon) Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar.
These areas will experience strong winds.
Paeng was last located 540 km. east of Borongan, Eastern Samar, moving west southwestward at 10 kph.
Further intensification is likely while Paeng is moving over the warm waters of the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Paeng may reach the severe tropical storm category within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, the trough of Paeng and the shear line will continue to cause heavy rains over the Visayas, most of Southern Luzon, and the northern portion of Mindanao.
In the next 24 hours, the surge of the northeast monsoon will also bring strong winds with gusts reaching gale-force strength over the Bicol Region, Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Quezon, Marinduque, Romblon, and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte.
Rough to very rough seas continued to prevail over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon and the Visayas.
Fishing boats and other small seacraft are still advised not to venture into the sea, and larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves. (PNA)
