Ofel to make landfall in Isabela or Cagayan on Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Ofel (international name: Usagi) prompted the raising of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in Northern Luzon areas and is expected to make a landfall in Isabela or Cagayan on Thursday, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) added that “Ofel is forecast to move west northwestward over the Philippine Sea before making landfall along the east coast of Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday (14 November) afternoon or evening.”

Pagasa also said that Ofel was last located some 630 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour (km/h).

It was now carrying a maximum wind speed of 110 km/h and gustiness of up to 135 km/h.

READ: Ofel now a severe tropical storm, to steadily intensify over 3 days

READ: Tropical Storm Ofel enters PAR, may reach typhoon status Nov 13

The weather agency also raised the TCWS No. 1 in the following areas:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Divilacan, Palanan)
• Eastern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol)

Areas under this wind signal may experience minimal to minor impacts from strong winds. Pagasa noted that the highest wind signal that may be raised during the occurrence of Ofel is TCWS No. 4.

Further, the following areas will experience strong to gale-force gusts brought by the wind flow coming towards the circulation of Ofel:

• Wednesday, November 13: Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes
• Thursday, November 14: Camarines Norte and the eastern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands
• Friday, November 15: The eastern portion of Isabela

Further, Pagasa noted that storm surge warning is up in the following areas:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern Aurora