ºÚÁÏÉç

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi) was anticipated to hit the Bicol Region over the weekend, prompting locals to take shelter in a mall as early as Friday night.

Residents evacuated to a mall in Polangui town in Albay province for safety as Pepito is poised to strengthen further into a super typhoon before landfall in Catanduanes. The Bicol Region, which is still reeling from the devastation brought on by Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) is on Pepito’s lane.

Pagasa said in its 5 a.m., November 16, cyclone bulletin that Pepito was last spotted 220 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, or 305 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. The tropical cyclone was moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

READ: Bicol, still reeling from Kristine, is on path of Pepito

Barangay Ubaliw officials said 398 individuals or 130 families sought refuge at XentroMall, as of 7 p.m., November 15.

The Albay Public Safety and Emergency Office estimated that 400,000 individuals may need to be evacuated from possible flooding due to Pepito.

READ: As Pepito nears super typhoon status, Signal No. 3 raised in more areas

Early Saturday morning, Pagasa placed the entire Albay province under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2.

Pagasa also said Albay’s coastal waters were at a high risk of storm surge reaching between 2.1 and 3.0 meters within the next 24 hours.

Pagasa said Pepito is seen to make landfall in the vicinity of Catanduanes either Saturday night or Sunday early morning, November 17.