Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) gathered more strength and is now a typhoon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Ofel was last located 205 kilometers west-northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, moving north-northwestward at 15 kph. The cyclone is also carrying maximum sustained winds of 100 kph and gusts of up to 125 kph.

The state weather bureau said that Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) had further intensified and was nearing typhoon status early Friday morning. Pepito “is forecast to intensify into a typhoon within the next 12 hours” and gain more strength to become a super typhoon by Saturday evening,

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi), which entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday evening, is forecast to make landfall on

Pepito (Man-Yi) reached typhoon strength following “rapid intensification,” while Ofel (Usagi) weakened into a severe tropical storm on Friday morning, PAGASA reported.

Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) will continue to undergo rapid intensification until Saturday, November 16, and could strengthen into a super typhoon

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned on Thursday, Nov. 14 that Severe Tropical Storm “Pepito” (international name: Man-yi) could intensify into a super typhoon before making landfall over Central Luzon this weekend.