“Opong” has intensified into a severe tropical storm, the PAGASA announced.

As of 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 24, the PAGASA said that “Opong” is still being monitored inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and is located at 705 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

It has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h and gustiness of 115 km/h. Opong is seen moving west-northwestward at 20 km/h.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Ragasa (formerly Nando) is still being monitored outside the PAR. It continues to move west-northwestward at 20 km/h.

In its 11:00 AM bulletin, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) number 1 was hoisted in three areas in Visayas, particularly in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

Despite this, the state weather bureau said it has minimal to no threat to life and property.