September 25, 2025 – Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” (international name Bualoi) continues to intensify as it moves closer to the country, prompting weather authorities to warn residents in parts of Mindanao of possible flooding, landslides, and rough sea conditions.
As of 3:00 a.m. today, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the storm’s center was estimated at 465 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.
Areas Directly Affected
The Caraga Region is expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte will experience rains with gusty winds throughout the day. PAGASA warned of possible floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rains, while strong winds pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property.
The rest of Caraga will have cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms as the storm’s outer rainbands sweep across the region.
Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is also being enhanced by Opong, bringing cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Zamboanga Peninsula and Northern Mindanao. Residents are advised to remain vigilant for flash floods and landslides during severe thunderstorms.
Regional Forecast Highlights
- Zamboanga Peninsula – Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Isabela City will experience cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms throughout the day and night. Coastal waters will be slight to moderate, with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 34°C.
- Northern Mindanao – Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, and Lanao del Norte will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms. Winds will be light to moderate, while coastal waters are expected to remain slight to moderate. Temperatures will hover between 19°C and 32°C.
- Davao Region – Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with localized thunderstorms. Winds will be moderate to strong, making seas moderate to rough, particularly along the eastern coasts.
- SOCCSKSARGEN and BARMM – Provinces including North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi will generally have partly cloudy skies with localized rain showers or thunderstorms. Most areas will see light to moderate winds, with slight to moderate sea conditions.
Coastal and Sea Conditions
Moderate to strong winds from the northwest to southwest will prevail over the eastern sections of Mindanao, with coastal waters ranging from moderate to rough (2.5 to 3.4 meters). The rest of Mindanao will experience light to moderate winds and slight to moderate seas (0.6 to 2.1 meters). Fisherfolk and those with small sea vessels are advised to avoid venturing into rough seas, especially in the eastern seaboards.
Public Advisory
PAGASA urged communities in low-lying and mountainous areas of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and nearby provinces to remain on alert for floods and landslides. Local disaster risk reduction and management councils are expected to issue advisories as the storm moves closer.
The public is encouraged to continuously monitor weather updates through PAGASA’s official channels and to take precautionary measures as Severe Tropical Storm Opong continues to affect large parts of Mindanao.
For more information, the public may call PAGASA’s hotline at (02) 8922-1992 or 8927-1335 or visit bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph.