Signal No. 1 up in Metro Manila as ‘Ofel’ heads to Masbate area

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 11:37 p.m., 24 October 2012

MANILA, Philippines—More provinces, including Metro Manila, were placed under public storm warning signal Wednesday night as Tropical Storm “Ofel” heads towards Roxas-Masbate area.

At 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, the center of Tropical Storm Ofel was estimated at 40 kilometers northwest of Tabango, Leyte, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Ofel was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, Pagasa said.

It was forecast to move west Northwest at 19 kph, Pagasa added.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 was hoisted in the following provinces:

LUZON: Masbate including Burias & Ticao Islands, Romblon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, and Marinduque

VISAYAS: Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, Biliran, Northern part of Negros Occidental, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Western and Eastern Samar, Camotes Island and the Northern part of Cebu

Aside from Metro Manila, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 was in effect in the following areas:

LUZON: Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Lubang Island, Calamian group of Island, Cuyo Island, Southern part of Quezon Province, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, and Sorsogon

VISAYAS: Rest of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Rest of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Northern Samar

MINDANAO: Dinagat Island, Camiguin, Siargao Island and Surigao Del Norte

Public storm warning signal elsewhere is now lowered, according to Pagasa.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau warned residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under Signal Nos. 1 and 2 against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Likewise, those living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 are alerted of possible storm surges.