‘Ofel’ makes landfall in Masbate

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 4:30 a.m., 25 October 2012

MANILA, Philippines—Tropical Storm “Ofel” has made landfall over the southwestern part of Masbate and over Sibuyan island early Thursday morning, the weather bureau said.

At 4:00 a.m. Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Ofel was estimated based on satellite and surface data over Sibuyan Island, Romblon, 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 20 kph, Pagasa added.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Masbate including Ticao Islands, Romblon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Marinduque, Batangas, Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras and Northern part of Negros Occidental.

According to Pagasa, these areas will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas.

Meanwhile, Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 was raised over Metro Manila, Bataan, Zambales, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Southern part of Quezon Province, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Burias Island, Calamian group of Island and Cuyo Island, Leyte Provinces, Samar Provinces, Cebu, Camotes Island, rest of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

These areas will experience rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas, Pagasa said.

Public storm warning signal elsewhere is now lowered, according to the weather bureau, adding that the rest of the country will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Due to the prevailing storm, Pagasa 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.