Severe Tropical Storm Hanna has intensified as it decelerated moving westward over the Philippines Sea on Thursday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

PAGASA said Hanna may intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours while still inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

It is also seen to gradually intensify until late Saturday or early Sunday, when it is expected to reach its peak intensity, according to PAGASA.