Typhoon Mawar has intensified into a super typhoon once again on Thursday morning, announced the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The storm is rapidly gaining strength as it approaches the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), prompting authorities to issue precautionary measures and closely monitor its trajectory.

“Tropical cyclone Mawar has intensified. Yesterday it was only a typhoon, but it has re-intensified into a super typhoon again,” said Pagasa weather specialist Benison Estareja.

As of 3 a.m., the super typhoon was positioned 2,150 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 230 kph.

Mawar is expected to maintain its strength as it moves in a west-northwest direction before entering the Philippine area of responsibility from Friday to Saturday.

“From Wednesday to Friday, it will move generally west-northwest and will remain a super typhoon; it will remain strong,” he said.

It is projected that Mawar could enter the PAR on Friday night until the early hours of Saturday. Once within the PAR, the typhoon will be given the local name Betty. This would mark the second storm to impact the Philippines this year and the first in the current month.