MANILA — Pepito intensified further and neared typhoon strength on Friday morning while typhoon Ofel continued to weaken after striking northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said.

Ofel, which made landfall in Cagayan on Thursday, was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts up to 150 kph. It was spotted 100 kilometers northwest of Calayan, Cagayan at 4 a.m. 

Thousands flee as Typhoon Ofel hits northern Philippines

Moderate to heavy rains may still hit Luzon’s northern tip this Friday, PAGASA warned. 

It said Ofel could leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Friday afternoon and re-enter on Saturday as it re-curves. 

Meanwhile, Pepito was located 795 km east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kph and gusts up to 135 kph. 

It may bring heavy rains over Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon beginning Saturday. 

Pepito will continuously intensify and reach super typhoon strength by Saturday while crossing the Philippine Sea.

From Kristine to Pepito: 6 cyclones batter PH one after another

It may make landfall at peak intensity over eastern Bicol or Central Luzon this weekend, PAGASA said. 

It advised residents of coastal areas in Bicol and Central Luzon to be on the lookout for destructive winds, torrential rains, and storm surge. 

Pepito will cross northern Luzon on Sunday evening and leave PAR late Monday. 

PAGASA kept the following wind signals raised due to the two cyclones. 

Signal 3 due to Ofel 

89 to 117 kph winds expected in at least 18 hours; Moderate to significant threat to life and property

The western portion of Babuyan Islands (Calayan, Is., Dalupiri Is., Fuga Is.), the northwesternmost portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes), and the northernmost portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud)

Signal 2 due to Ofel

62 to 88 kph winds expected in at least 24 hours; Minor to moderate threat to life and property

- The rest of Babuyan Island, the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros), the northern portion of Apayao (Calanasan, Luna, Santa Marcela), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Piddig, Bacarra, Adams, Dumalneg, Vintar, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Carasi)

Signal 1 due to Ofel

39 to 61 kph winds expected in at least 24 hours; Minimal to minor threat to life and property

- Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela (Quezon, Cabagan, Santa Maria, San Pablo, Maconacon, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Tumauini), the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, the northern and central portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, Tayum, Langiden, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, La Paz, Peñarrubia, Dolores, Bangued, Bucay, Daguioman, Lacub, Tineg, Lagayan, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas), the rest of Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente)

Signal 1 due to Pepito 

- Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Vinzons, Talisay, Daet, Mercedes, Basud), the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Garchitorena, Presentacion, San Jose, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Goa, Siruma, Tigaon, Sagñay, Calabanga, Naga City, Magarao, Bombon, Pili, Ocampo, Iriga City, Buhi), the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Bacacay, Legazpi City, Malinao, Manito, Tiwi), and the eastern and southern portions of Sorsogon (Juban, City of Sorsogon, Barcelona, Bulusan, Magallanes, Gubat, Santa Magdalena, Casiguran, Bulan, Irosin, Matnog, Prieto Diaz, Castilla)

Ofel was the fifth storm to strike the country in just three weeks. 

The brutal wave of weather disasters has already killed 159 people and prompted the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.

The national weather agency had initially raised its highest storm alert, but downgraded to its second-highest as Ofel made landfall.

Baggao police said no casualties or substantial damage were immediately reported, while 28 residents of a village were evacuated amid concern it would get flooded.

"It was weaker than we expected," a relieved police officer, Karen Ibarra, told AFP by phone.

President Ferdinand Marcos, visiting storm-affected areas to dole out emergency cash aid, urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.

"We know that it is difficult to leave your homes and possessions, but sheltering could save lives," he told residents of Mindoro island south of the capital Manila, according to an official transcript of his speech.

"While we cannot prevent typhoons from hitting the country, we can take steps to reduce their impact," he said, calling for better infrastructure to cope with worsening storm effects he blamed on climate change.

— With a report from Agence France-Presse