Storm signals up in Visayas, Luzon areas

MANILA, Philippines – More provinces, including in Luzon, were placed under public storm warning signal as tropical storm Ofel slightly accelerated while moving towards Leyte, the state weather bureau said Wednesday afternoon.

Public storm warning signal number two was hoisted in Masbate, Romblon, Eastern Samar, Western Samar
Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran Island, Camotes Island, Capiz, Aklan, Boracay Island, Northern Cebu, Bantayan Island, Northern Negros and Dinagat Island, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal number one was up in Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, Southern Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro. Calamian Group of Island, Batangas, Lubang Island, Cuyo Island, Northern Samar, Antique, Iloilo, Southern Negros, Southern Cebu, Bohol,  Surigao del Norte and Siargao Island.

Elsewhere, storm signals were now lowered, Pagasa said.

Ofel,  last located along the vicinity of Ormoc City in Leyte, was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It was now moving at 22 kph.

Moderate to intense rains were seen within the 500 kilometers of Ofel, and residents under public storm warning were warned against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, fishing boats and other small vessels were warned not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon.

Ofel was forecast to be at 70 km northwest of San Jos, Mindoro by Thursday afternoon and 450 km west of Iba, Zambales by Friday afternoon.