Intensification continued and late on April 15, Kujira reached its peak intensity with winds of 165 km/h (103 mph)[nb 1] and a minimum barometric pressure of 930 mbar (hPa; 27.46 inHg).

Shortly after developing, Kujira caused two fatalities in Pohnpei in addition to minor agricultural and infrastructure damage; similar effects were felt in Guam.

Several days later, the typhoon prompted cyclone warnings and other precautionary measures in the Philippines after forecasts indicated the potential for strong winds and rain.

The systems that would develop into Typhoon Kujira began as a broad area of convection on April 6 centered south of Pohnpei and near the equator.

At the time, the area of disturbed weather exhibited multiple circulation centers, and thus the system remained generally disorganized.

[1] As such, both the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) classified the storm system as a tropical depression at 0000 UTC on April 9.

[2][3] For much of the cyclone's early existence, the low-level circulation center remained east of the primary convection cell as it tracked northward.

[1] At roughly the same time, Kujira began to curve towards a westward track due to a high pressure area to the north.

[2] Following peak intensity, Kujira continued to track westward as it entered the area of responsibility of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 1200 UTC on April 16, and as such the name Amang was assigned to the typhoon by the agency.

[nb 3][1] On April 17, the tropical cyclone began to track slightly southwestward and encountered an area of dry air and enhanced wind shear,[2] thus temporarily weakening Kujira.

[1] Though the JTWC indicated a significant increase in maximum sustained winds,[2] the intensification was only reflected by the JMA with a slight drop in barometric pressure.

[1] At 0300 UTC the next day, the JMA downgraded the storm to tropical depression intensity while the JTWC ceased monitoring of the system three hours later.

[1] Shortly after forming, Kujira tracked near Pohnpei, resulting in heavy rainfall across the island, peaking at 250 mm (9.8 in).

[8][9] The Philippine Coast Guard patrolled Filipino waters throughout Kujira's close passage in order to redirect ships away from the typhoon.

The National Fire Administration and Taiwan Power Company developed a contingency plan for the typhoon and had also undertaken other precautionary measures.

[21] As Kujira approached Japan, the storm brought rough seas to the Ryukyu Islands, where wave heights of 2.5 m (8.2 ft) were recorded.