Rains expected over parts of Luzon as Ofel moves westwards —PAGASA

Some parts of Luzon may experience moderate to heavy rains due to tropical depression, which already moved to the West Philippines Sea on Thursday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In an 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Aurora province may experience moderate to heavy rains due to Ofel.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon, it added.

Same weather conditions will be experienced over Occidental Mindoro and Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands) due to Southwest Monsoon.

The Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal has been lifted over any parts of the parts of the country, PAGASA said.

“However, it noted that occasional gusts are still possible over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands),” it noted.

“Gusty conditions associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow will also be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and the coastal and mountainous areas of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan Valley,” it added.

Gale Warning is up over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and Aurora due to rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 4.5 m) associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow.

“Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small sea crafts,” PAGASA warned.

Moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m)

Due to Ofel and the Southwest Monsoon. PAGASA said moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m) are possible over the seaboards of Zambales, Bataan, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands).

“Those with small sea crafts are advised not to venture out to sea over these areas,” it added.

At 7 a.m., Ofel was located at 170 kilometers West Northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour and gustiness of up to 55 km/h moving Westward at 20 km/h.

According to PAGASA, Ofel may weaken into a low-pressure area within the next 12 to 24 hours over the West Philippine Sea.

Effects

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Thursday morning, a total of 127 families were evacuated in Bicol due to the effects of Tropical Depression Ofel.

NDRRMC spokesman Mark Timbal said these families came from 10 barangays situated in landslide and flood-prone areas in Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

Timbal said no casualty has been reported due to the weather disturbance.

A separate report from the Office of Civil Defense V stated that as of 4 a.m., there were 312 stranded individuals in Bicol as well as 72 trucks, nine light vehicles, 27 sea vessels, and 17 motorized boats. —LBG/KBK, GMA News