More areas in Visayas have been placed under Signal No. 2 as Typhoon 'Pepito' continues to intensify rapidly prior to its possible landfall, the state-run weather agency said on Friday.

State weather bureau PAGASA has warned of "moderate to high risk" of storm surge in several areas of the country over the next 48 hours ahead of the impact of Typhoon Pepito.

Severe Tropical Storm Pepito (international name: Man-yi) prompted the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over some parts of the country on Thursday evening, the Philippine Atmospheric,

Typhoon Ofel passed closely between Babuyan Islands and the northern portion of mainland Cagayan with three areas under Signal No. 4 but forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday afternoon,

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 remains hoisted over parts of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, even as typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) hammered mainland Cagayan and other areas in northern Luzon,