TD Ofel leaves Luzon landmass; Signal No. 1 remains up in some areas

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical depression Ofel has left the landmass of Luzon but tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) number 1 remains in some areas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Thursday.

Based on a severe weather bulletin issued by Pagasa at 5 a.m., there is an “increasing likelihood” that Ofel will weaken into a low pressure area within the next 12 to 24 hours while hovering over the West Philippine Sea.

Pagasa said the center of Ofel was last spotted over the coastal waters of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. It carries maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph and is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

According to the weather bureau, the tropical depression is forecast to further move west-northwestward towards the West Philippine Sea this Thursday.

For the weather forecast, Pagasa said light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be experienced in mainland Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Central Luzon due to Ofel, and over Occidental Mindoro and Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands due to the southwest monsoon.

“Flooding (including flash-floods) 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 Regional Services Divisions may issue local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings as appropriate,” Pagasa said.

According to the weather bureau, strong-force winds will be experienced in areas under TCWS No. 1 during the passage of the tropical depression. It added that these areas may experience winds of 30 to 60 kilometers per hour in at least 36 hours or intermittent rains within 36 hours.

TCWS No. 1 is hoisted in the following areas:

– Batangas
– Laguna
– Cavite
– Rizal
– Northern and central portions of Quezon (Real, Mauban, Sampaloc, Tayabas City, Pagbilao, Lucban, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Tiaong, Dolores, San Antonio, General Nakar, Infanta), Metro Manila, Bataan, the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Santa Cruz), and the northern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Baco, Naujan, Naujan Lake, Victoria, Calapan City)

Meanwhile, gusty conditions associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow may be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and the coastal and mountainous areas of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan Valley.

Pagasa said Ofel is forecast to be located 770 km west of Iba, Zambales outside the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday morning.

Gale warning is in effect over the entire seaboard of Northern Luzon and the seaboard of Aurora due to rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 4.5 m) associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow, said Pagasa. Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacraft, it added.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where TCWS No. 1 is in effect, and over the seaboards of Zambales and Polillo Islands. Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea over these areas.