New Tropical Depression ‘Ofel’ nears E. Samar

MANILA, Philippines — A new low pressure area off Eastern Samar province has intensified into Tropical Depression “Ofel,” which will bring rains and gusts over Sorsogon and Samar provinces, the weather bureau said on Tuesday.

As of 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Ofel was seen at 135 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its weather bulletin.

It packed maximum sustained winds of up to 45 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph. As of Tuesday afternoon, it was moving north- northwestward at 15 kph.

Ofel will also bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms over Mindanao, Mimaropa, and the rest of Visayas and Bicol region on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon may experience isolated rains due to local thunderstorms, Pagasa said.