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.

Typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) weakened sharply on Friday after bearing down on the Philippines' northern towns, blowing away houses in its path as authorities brace for another cyclone that could hit the capital Manila over the weekend.

Hundreds of people fled Friday as Typhoon ‘Pepito’ (Man-Yi) bore down on the Philippines, threatening yet more destruction even

Typhoon ‘Ofel’ (Usagi) blew out of the Philippines early Friday as another dangerous storm drew closer, threatening an area where

Pepito rapidly intensified into a typhoon on Friday morning, as it threatened to ravage areas still reeling from a string of weather disasters.

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.