QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Storm Ofel (Usagi) has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was spotted 1,170 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon as of 4 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, while Storm Nika (Toraji) was swirling away at 30 kilometers per hour (kph), 185 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
Ofel’s maximum sustained winds were at 75 kph near its center and gustiness of 90 kph, moving on its west-northwestward direction at 25 kph, state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 4 a.m. cyclone advisory.
Strong to gale-force winds extend outwards up to 230 km from the center. No wind signal was in effect within the forecast period until 11 a.m.
Ofel is currently not directly affecting any part of the country. But PAGASA warned of heavy rainfall caused by the storm, apart from those caused by Nika.
Wind signal No. 1 may be raised over portions of Cagayan Valley late evening Tuesday or Wednesday morning, Nov. 13th.
Wind flow coming toward Ofel’s circulation will also bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):
• Nov. 13, Catanduanes; Nov. 14, Batanes, Quezon, including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, and the northern portions of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes; Nov. 15, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora.
Within the 24-hour outlook, up to very rough or high seas over the following coastal waters:
• up to 4.5 m: The seaboards of Ilocos Norte and northern Ilocos Sur.
Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels, and all mariners are advised to remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.
Ofel is forecast to move west-northwestward until Thursday, Nov. 14 evening before turning northwestward to northward for the rest of the forecast period.
On the forecast track, it may make landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Thursday afternoon or evening, PAGASA said, adding that the storm will steadily intensify in the next three days and reach the typhoon category on Wednesday. (PIA DMD)
