TD Ofel accelerates, makes 2nd landfall over Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Ofel has accelerated and made its second landfall in Sorsogon, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Ofel made another landfall in Matnog, Sorsogon at 6 a.m.

Ofel previously made its first landfall in Can-avid, Eastern Samar at 2:30 a.m. of Wednesday.

Based on Pagasa’s latest data, the tropical depression was last monitored at 30 kilometers southwest of Juban, Sorsogon, or 30 kilometers northeast of Masbate City, Masbate.

Ofel is packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

From 20 kph, Ofel accelerated to 25 kph and is moving west-northwest.

The tropical depression is expected to move west-northwestward over the inland seas of Southern Luzon and may pass close to or over Masbate, Romblon, and Mindoro Provinces.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still raised over the following areas:

Batangas
The southern portion of Laguna (Luisiana, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Rizal, San Pablo City, Calauan, Alaminos, Los Baños, Bay, Magdalena)
The southern portions of Quezon (Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, Mulanay, San Francisco, Catanauan, Lopez, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Atimonan, Tayabas City, Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Gumaca, General Luna, Macalelon, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong, San Antonio)
Burias Islands
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran

Pagasa said Ofel will  bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over the Bicol Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Marinduque, Romblon, and Mindoro Provinces.

Meanwhile, the weather disturbance is also expected to bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, and Biliran.

Ofel is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday.

/MUF