Residents in landslide-prone areas warned vs ‘Ofel’

NINE areas in the country, including Camiguin Province in Northern Mindanao, are placed under signal number 1 as Tropical Depression “Ofel” has high chances of making a landfall in Eastern Visayas or Northern Mindanao today, Wednesday, the weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) bulletin said “Ofel” is moving fast at 13 kilometers per hour (kph), bringing rain and strong winds, especially over Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao areas.

The weather disturbance is also expected to stay in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) until Saturday.

Other areas under signal number 1 include Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan provinces.

A television report said that “Ofel” might make landfall either in northeastern Mindanao or in Samar-Leyte area today, Wednesday.

“Owing to its proximity to land, ‘Ofel’ may not reach typhoon intensity before landfall but may bring significant rainfall to Visayas and Mindanao," Cruz said.

In its weather bulletin No. 3 issued at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Pagasa said “Ofel” moves continuously westward, posing risk to Northern Mindanao and Eastern Visayas areas.

It said “Ofel” was estimated at 300 kilometers (km) east of Tandag, Surigao City, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and is moving west at 13 kph to be 190 kilometers east of Surigao del Sur by Wednesday morning.

“By Thursday morning, it is expected to be 100 km north of Mactan, Cebu, and by Friday morning, it is expected to be in the vicinity of San Jose, Mindoro,” Pagasa said.

“Ofel” may bring an estimated rainfall of five to 20 millimeter (mm) per hour (moderate to intense) within 400-km diameter, the weather bureau said.

It added that Eastern Visayas and Caraga region will experience rains with gusty winds while the rest of Visayas and Mindanao, Bicol region, and Mimaropa will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rain showers or thunderstorms, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal no. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," Pagasa said.