Ofel maintains strength, makes 3rd landfall over Masbate

Image: bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Depression Ofel maintains its strength as it made its third landfall over Masbate, the state weather bureau said Wednesday.

In its 2 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Ofel made landfall for the third time over the vicinity of Burias Island, Masbate at 12 noon.

Ofel first made landfall over Can-avid, Eastern Samar at 2:30 a.m. of Wednesday, then over Matnog, Sorsogon at 6 a.m. of the same day.

Based on Pagasa’s latest data, Ofel was last spotted at 105 kilometers west of Juban, Sorsogon.

The tropical depression is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

Ofel was also monitored moving west at 10 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over the  following areas:

Batangas

The southern portion of Laguna (Luisiana, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal, San Pablo City, Calauan, Alaminos, Los Baños, Bay, Magdalena)

The central and southern portions of Quezon (Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, Mulanay, San Francisco, Catanauan, Lopez, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Atimonan, Tayabas City, Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Gumaca, General Luna, Macalelon, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong, San Antonio)

Calamian Islands

Occidental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro

Marinduque

Romblon

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Albay

Sorsogon

Masbate (including Ticao and Burias Islands)

The weather disturbance is expected to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Bicol Region, Cavite Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon province,  Aurora, Marinduque, Romblon, and Mindoro provinces from Wednesday to Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Ofel is also to bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon.

Ofel is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Friday morning or Friday afternoon.

/MUF