Paeng maintains strength, moves westward; Signal No. 1 remains over several areas in Luzon, Visayas

Tropical Storm Paeng continued to maintain its strength and is now moving slowly westward with Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over several areas in Luzon and Visayas, according to the Tropical Cyclone update posted by PAGASA on Thursday evening.

Heavy rains are expected in the areas with storm signal.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains over the following areas:

Luzon

• Catanduanes
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
• Camarines Sur
• the eastern portion of Romblon (San Fernando, Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, Romblon, Corcuera, Banton)
• Marinduque
• Camarines Norte
• Polillo Islands
• the southern portion of mainland Quezon (Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Pagbilao, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Macalelon, Pitogo, General Luna, Catanauan, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, San Narciso, Buenavista, Lopez, Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Mauban)

Visayas

• eastern Samar
• northern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• the northern portion of Leyte (San Isidro, Calubian, Tabango, Leyte, Capoocan, Carigara, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Santa Fe, Palo, Villaba, Kananga, Jaro, Alangalang, Pastrana, Dagami, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Tunga, Barugo)

These areas have strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours, which may cause minimal to minor threat to life and property, PAGASA said.

As of 10 p.m., the center of Paeng was sighted 485 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.

"Due to the Shear Line and the trough of PAENG, heavy rains are possible over Visayas, most of Southern Luzon, and the northern portion of Mindanao," said PAGASA.

"In the next 24 hours, the surge of the Northeast Monsoon will also bring strong winds with gusts reaching gale-force strength over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Quezon, Bicol Region, Marinduque, Romblon, and the northern portions of mainland Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte," the weather bureau also reported.

According to PAGASA’s forecast, Paeng may make landfall or pass very close to Catanduanes on Saturday and another landfall scenario is possible on Sunday over Aurora or the east coast of Quezon.

Considering the southward shift in the forecast track, a possible landfall in the eastern portion of Bicol Region is not ruled out at this time, it added.

Moreover, Paeng is forecasted to reach severe tropical storm category within 24 hours and may intensify into a typhoon by Saturday.

The occurrence of rapid intensification in the next 72 hours is not ruled out, PAGASA said. -- BAP, GMA News