TROPICAL Depression Ofel has maintained its strength while moving slowly toward Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area Tuesday evening, October 13.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Ofel will make landfall over Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area Wednesday morning (October 14), then over Sorsogon by Wednesday afternoon.
Pagasa said that based on the forecast track, Ofel will move generally north-northwestward or northwestward tonight (October 13) through tomorrow afternoon (October 14).
As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, the center of the tropical depression was estimated at 95 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum winds of 45 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of up to 55 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Number 1 remains hoisted over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands
Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte (Tabango, Leyte, San Isidro, Calubian, Capoocan, Carigara, Jaro, Pastrana, Dagami, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Palo, Santa Fe, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo and Tunga).
Pagasa said these areas may experience occasional gusts associated with the tropical depression, adding that TCWS 1 might also be raised over Camarines Sur, Romblon, and the southern portion of Quezon.
The weather bureau said Ofel is forecast to remain in tropical depression category while traversing the southern portion of Southern Luzon, and it is forecast to reach tropical storm category within 48 hours once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
"'Ofel' will move northwestward or west-northwestward tomorrow afternoon while traversing the southern portion of Southern Luzon before it emerges over the West Philippine Sea by Thursday afternoon," Pagasa said.
It added that moderate to heavy rains may continue to prevail over Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte Tuesday night through Wednesday.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Quezon, Romblon, and the rest of Eastern Visayas, while flooding (including flashfloods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards, Pagasa said.
It also advised those with small seacrafts to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea, as moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the seaboards of Luzon and Eastern Visayas. (LMY/SunStar Philippines)