‘Ofel’ heads to S. Leyte; Signal No. 2 up in parts of Visayas

Source: Project Noah | 11:30 am, October 24, 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm “Ofel” accelerated as it headed towards Southern Leyte, prompting the state weather bureau Wednesday to raise Signal No. 2 in several areas in the Visayas.

Affected are Bohol, Cebu, Camotes Islands and Leyte provinces, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, the northern part of Agusan del Sur and Camiguin Island, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

Ofel was spotted along the vicinity of Siargao, Surigao del Norte, and was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph, it said.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Northern Samar, Western Samar, Biliran, Capiz, Antique, Aklan including Boracay Island, Iloilo, Guimaras Island, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor Island, Misamis Oriental, rest of Agusan del Sur and Northern part of Bukidnon.

Areas under storm signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Meanwhile, moderate to intense rains are seen within 500 km of Ofel.

Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon as well as seaboards of Visayas and Mindanao due to Ofel and the northeast monsoon.

Ofel is forecast to be along the vicinity of Roxas City by Thursday morning; 180 km west of Nasugbu in Batangas by Friday morning; and outside the Philippine territory by Saturday morning, Pagasa said.