11 areas in Visayas, Mindanao under storm signal 1

MANILA -- Eleven areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are under public storm warning signal number 1 as Tropical Depression "Ofel" continues to move west northwest toward Surigao del Norte.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that as of 11 p.m. Tuesday, Ofel was located at 170 kilometers (km) northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Signal number 1 is hoisted over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Bohol, Camotes Island, Dinagat Island, Surigao provinces, Agusan provinces, Camiguin Island and Misamis Oriental.

These areas are expected to experience winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) within the next 36 hours, Pagasa said.

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal number one are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," Pagasa added.

Tropical Depression Ofel track as of 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 23, 2012 (Source: Pagasa)

The country’s weather agency said those areas within its 400-km diameter are expected to experience rainfall of five to 15 millimeters per hour, which is classified as “moderate to heavy.”

Packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center, Ofel is moving west northwest at 15 kph.

Pagasa said Ofel has a high chance to make landfall at Siargao, in the vicinity of Surigao, but is unlikely to intensify.

The tropical depression is forecast to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday or Saturday.

Pagasa said Ofel is expected to be over the vicinity of Panaon Island, Southern Leyte by Wednesday afternoon, and then over the vicinity of Roxas City by Thursday afternoon.

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

In its advisory, Pagasa said Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bohol, Camotes Island and the regions of Eastern Visayas and Caraga will experience rains with gusty winds.

Bicol and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms that 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 coming from the north to northwest over Mindanao.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PNA/Sunnex)