‘Onyok’ enters PAR

The tropical cyclone east of the Philippines has entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Saturday and was locally called “Onyok” (international name “Mitag”).

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather specialist Meno Mendoza said Onyok—the fifth cyclone to enter or form this month— entered the country’s vicinity as a tropical depression around 2 a.m. Saturday.

Around Saturday noon, Onyok further intensified into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was estimated 870 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 1,105 km east of Baler, Aurora.

Mendoza said the weather disturbance is not expected to make landfall over the country but may bring rains over eastern Luzon in the next few days.

Onyok is seen to further strengthen into a severe tropical storm within 24 hours. A tropical cyclone is classified as a severe tropical storm if it has maximum wind speed of 89 to 117 kph.

From Saturday until Sunday, the trough or extension of Onyok may bring scattered light to moderate rain showers and thunderstorms over Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

Residents of these areas, especially those living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides, were advised to take precautionary measures.

Should Onyok maintain its current speed and track of 35 kph west-northwest, Mendoza said the cyclone will be outside the country’s area of responsibility by Tuesday.