Signal no. 1 up in Visayas, Mindanao; LPA intensifies

MANILA -- The state weather bureau has placed nine areas in Visayas and Mindanao under storm signal number 1, as the low pressure area (LPA) off Surigao has intensified into tropical depression "Ofel," the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year.

Weather Forecaster Meno Mendoza said as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, Ofel was located at 460 km east of Surigao City (9.4°N, 130.1°E) with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

Mendoza said signal no. 1 is hoisted over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, Agusan provinces and Camiguin Island which are expected to experience winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) within the next 36 hours.

"Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

He said those areas within its 400-km diameter are expected to experience rainfall of 5 to 20 mm per hour, which is classified as “moderate to intense.”

Mendoza also said that Ofel has a high chance of making a landfall between areas under storm warning signal no. 1.

Ofel is forecast to move west at 13 kph. It is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday or Saturday towards China or Vietnam.

Pagasa said Ofel is forecast to be at 190 km east of Surigao Del Sur by Wednesday morning , and 100 km north of Mactan, Cebu by Thursday morning and by Friday morning at the vicinity of San Jose, Mindoro.

The weather agency also warned fishing boats and other small seacrafts not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to Tropical Depression Ofel and the northeast monsoon.

In its advisory, Pagasa said that Eastern Visayas and Caraga region will experience rains with gusty winds. The rest of the Visayas and Mindanao, Bicol region and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas. (PNA)