Super Typhoon Pepito Intensifies, Benguet now under Signal No. 2

Super Typhoon Pepito (Man-Yi) continues to strengthen as it approaches Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur, posing a potentially catastrophic threat to the northeastern Bicol Region. The storm, carrying maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 240 km/h, is expected to bring extreme weather conditions in its path. Residents in affected areas are urged to remain vigilant and follow local authorities’ safety advisories.

Location and Movement

As of 4:00 PM today, the center of Super Typhoon Pepito was located approximately 120 km east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h. The storm’s extent of strong to typhoon-force winds reaches up to 300 km from its center.

Areas Under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS)

TCWS No. 5
Wind Threat: Typhoon-force winds (185 km/h or higher)
Warning Lead Time: 12 hours
Luzon:

• Catanduanes
• Northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Presentacion)

TCWS No. 4
Wind Threat: Typhoon-force winds (118–184 km/h)
Warning Lead Time: 12 hours
Luzon:

• Camarines Norte
• Northern and southeastern portions of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Goa, San Jose, Tigaon, Sagñay, Calabanga)
• Northeastern portion of Albay (City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malinao, Malilipot, Bacacay, Rapu-Rapu)

TCWS No. 3
Wind Threat: Storm-force winds (89–117 km/h)
Warning Lead Time: 18 hours
Luzon:

• Polillo Islands
• Northern and eastern portions of mainland Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, Lopez, Quezon, Perez, Alabat, Gumaca, Plaridel, Atimonan, Mauban, Real, General Nakar, Infanta)
• Rest of Camarines Sur
• Rest of Albay
• Northern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat, Barcelona, Castilla, Casiguran, Pilar, Donsol)

Visayas:

• Eastern and central portions of Northern Samar (Palapag, Laoang, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig, Catubig, Pambujan, Las Navas, Biri, Bobon, Catarman, Mondragon, San Roque, Silvino Lobos, Lope de Vega, San Jose)
• Northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Jipapad)

TCWS No. 2
Wind Threat: Gale-force winds (62–88 km/h)
Warning Lead Time: 24 hours
Luzon:

• Southern portion of Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• Bulacan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Metro Manila
• Cavite
• Rizal
• Rest of Quezon
• Laguna
• Marinduque
• Rest of Sorsogon
• Burias Island
• Ticao Island

Visayas:

• Central portion of Eastern Samar (Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan)
• Northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Tarangnan, Motiong, Gandara, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Pagsanghan)
• Rest of Northern Samar

TCWS No. 1
Wind Threat: Strong winds (39–61 km/h)
Warning Lead Time: 36 hours
Luzon:

• Mainland Cagayan
• Rest of Isabela
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Rest of Pangasinan
• Rest of Zambales
• Batangas
• Northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Paluan) including Lubang Islands
• Northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Naujan, Baco, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Gloria, Pola, City of Calapan, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay)
• Romblon
• Rest of Masbate

Visayas:

• Rest of Eastern Samar
• Rest of Samar
• Biliran
• Northern and central portions of Leyte
• Northeastern portion of Southern Leyte (Silago)
• Northernmost portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin) including Bantayan Islands
• Northernmost portion of Iloilo (Carles)

Mindanao:

• Northern portion of Dinagat Islands (Loreto, Tubajon)

Coastal and Sea Conditions

Mariners are advised to avoid sea travel as conditions remain hazardous, with waves as high as 14.0 meters forecasted along the seaboard of Catanduanes.

Track and Intensity Outlook

Pepito is likely to make landfall over Catanduanes tonight or early tomorrow morning. It may retain its super typhoon status as it crosses Luzon, gradually weakening thereafter. Residents in the path are urged to prepare for severe impacts, including heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surges.