BUTUAN CITY — Four people have died thousands were forced to evacuate after Typhoon Opong struck the central Philippines, bringing intense rainfall, widespread flooding, and landslides. The disaster comes just days after the country was hit by a super typhoon that caused massive damage.
At 3:00 PM today, the center of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” (Bualoi) was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro (12.9°N, 120.5°E), with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness up to 165 km/h. It is moving west-northwestward at 35 km/h. The southwest monsoon is affecting Palawan, Visayas, and the western section of Mindanao.
Over 400,000 people have been evacuated from multiple islands, according to civil defense official Bernardo Alejandro. Of these, 87,000 came from the Bicol region, while 73,000 remain in evacuation centers in Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Four deaths have been confirmed in the Bicol region. Three of the fatalities were reported in Masbate, including one individual who was struck by a fallen tree, and another was killed by lightning in Camarines Norte.
In Masbate, around 20,000 residents were forced to leave their homes, according to Governor Richard Kho. In Panay Island, continuous heavy rains triggered a landslide along a national highway, disrupting transportation. In Iloilo, vehicles were left buried in thick mud as bulldozers worked to clear the roads. In Manila, several areas experienced severe flooding, prompting class suspensions as a safety precaution.
According to PAGASA’s latest forecast, heavy rainfall is expected to continue from today until Monday afternoon. From today until tomorrow afternoon, and continuing through Sunday and Monday, areas receiving over 200 mm of rain may experience widespread severe flooding and landslides. Areas expected to receive 100–200 mm of rainfall include Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, and Antique, where numerous flooding events are likely—especially in urbanized, low-lying areas or those near rivers. Landslides are likely in moderately to highly susceptible zones. Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Rizal, Bataan, Cavite, Aurora, Isabela, Marinduque, Quezon, Laguna, Batangas, and Aklan may receive 50–100 mm of rain, which could cause localized flooding in vulnerable areas and possible landslides in high-risk zones.
Images circulating on social media show vehicles submerged in mud and families evacuating as floodwaters continued to rise. The government continues to monitor the situation closely and has urged the public to remain vigilant and prepared as the typhoon remains active.
