1 missing due to storm 'Ofel'

CEBU CITY -- One person was reportedly missing, while 44 areas are now under storm warning signals, due to Tropical Storm "Ofel" (international codename: Son-Tinh), the authorities said Wednesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) identified the missing person as Jonrey Acaso, 28, a resident of Barangay Nueva Estrella Sur, Pintuyan, Southern Leyte.

Acaso, a fisherman, has been missing since 6 p.m. in October 22, the NDRRMC said.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) of Pintuyan has conducted search and rescue operation, the country's risk reduction council said.

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, 44 areas in the country are now under storm signals, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.

Placed under storm signal number 2 (61-100 kph winds) are the provinces of Masbate, Burias, Ticao Islands, Romblon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro and Marinduque in Luzon. In the Visayas, the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, Biliran, Northern part of Negros Occidental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Western and Eastern Samar Camotes Island and northern part of Cebu are also placed under storm signal no. 2, the Pagasa said.

Storm signal number 1 (30-60 kph winds) was also raised in Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Island, Calamian group of Island, Cuyo Island, Southern part of Quezon province, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon in Luzon, ther Pagasa said.

The rest of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Northern Samar, Dinagat Island, Camiguin Siargao Island and Surigao Del Norte in the Visayas as well as Dinagat Island, Camiguin, Siargao Island and Surigao Del Norte in Mindanao are also placed under storm signal no. 1, the Pagasa added.

"Ofel" is moving west northwest at 19 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The state weather bureau said Ofel was last located at 40 km northwest of Tabango, Leyte.

Ofel is forecast to be at 100 km northwest of San Jose, Mindoro Thursday evening and at 450 km West of Iba, Zambales by Friday evening.

Public storm warning signal elsewhere is now lowered.

Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal (PSWS) #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides likewise those living in coastal areas under signal #2 are alerted of possible storm surges.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 - 20 (mm) millimeter per hour (moderate - intense) within the 450 km diameter of the Tropical Storm.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Seaboards of Luzon due to the surge of northeast monsoon. (Sunnex)