Cebu, several other areas now under signal number 2
-A A +AWednesday, October 24, 2012
CEBU CITY (3rd Update, 12:05 p.m.) -- The state weather bureau placed Cebu province, including Camotes Island, and several other areas in the Visayas and Mindanao under storm signal number 2, as Tropical Storm “Ofel” (international codename: Son-Tinh) is now at the vicinity of Siargao Island while moving toward Southern Leyte.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) listed 30 areas in the Visayas and Mindanao under public storm warning signals. It said Ofel is still packing maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Placed under signal number 2 are the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, including Camotes Island, Leyte, Dinagat Island, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, northern part of Agusan Del Sur and Camiguin Island.
These areas are expected to experience 61 to 100 kph of winds within the next 24 hours.
Storm signal number 1 (30-60 kph winds) is hoisted over Masbate, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Capiz, Antique, Aklan including Boracay Island, Iloilo, Guimaras Island, Negros Oriental , Negros Occidental, Siquijor Island, Misamis Oriental, the rest of Agusan del Sur and the northern part of Bukidnon.
Pagasa warned residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals 2 and 1 alerted against possible flashflood and landslides.
Likewise, those living in coastal areas under public storm warning signal 2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges, it said.
Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said Ofel is expected to make a landfall in Dinagat island or Southern Leyte within the day.
He said Ofel increased its speed from 15 kph to 19 kph as it continues to move west northwest. If it does not change its speed and direction, it is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday toward China.
Pagasa said those areas within its 500-kilometer (km) radius are expected to experience rainfall of five to 20 millimeters per hour, which is classified as “moderate to intense.”
Pagasa said Ofel is expected to be in the vicinity of Roxas City by Thursday morning; at 180 km west of Nasugbu, Batangas by Friday morning; and Saturday morning at 640 km west of Manila or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
The weather agency also warned fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao due to the tropical storm and the northeast monsoon. (PNA/Sunnex)
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