Storm signal 1 up in Visayas, Mindanao

Source: Project Noah | Tuesday, October 23, 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Public storm Signal No. 1 was hoisted over nine provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao as a low pressure area developed into a tropical depression codenamed “Ofel” and moved closer to the country, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.

Covered by the warning, indicating winds of 30-60 kph, were Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern and Western Samar, Surigao del Norte including Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur and del Norte, and Camiguin Island.

Ofel, which strengthened into a depression on Monday night, was forecast to move westward at 13 kph, packing maximum winds of 55 kph near the center, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Pagasa said Ofel was expected to be 190 km east of Surigao City by Wednesday morning. By Thursday morning, it will be 100 km north of Mactan, Cebu, and in the vicinity of San Jose, Mindoro Occidental, by Friday morning.

Pagasa forecaster Samuel Duran said there was a good chance Ofel would make landfall either in the Visayas or in Mindanao by Wednesday morning.

Ofel is seen to bring moderate to intense rains, at 5-20 mm per hour, in an area within 200 kilometers of its center, Pagasa said.

Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas covered by the storm warnings were alerted to possible flash floods and landslides.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft were also advised not to venture out to sea of the eastern coasts of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to Ofel and the northeast monsoon.—With Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net

Originally posted at 8:33 a.m.