Tropical Storm Ofel further weakens while over the sea west of Taiwan

Tropical Storm Ofel (international name: Usagi), which left a trail of destruction in Cagayan, further weakened while moving slowly over the sea west of Taiwan on Saturday morning, PAGASA said.

At 4 a.m., the center of Ofel was estimated to be located at 240 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes.

It has maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 998 hPa, and is moving north northeastward slowly.

From its center, strong to gale-force winds are extending outwards up to 160 km from the center.

Ofel re-entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday night but is not expected to bring significant rainfall over the country.

Coastal waters

The seaboard of Batanes will have up to rough seas of up to 3 meters on Saturday due to Ofel.

"Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels," PAGASA said.

Moderate seas meanwhile are forecast over the following coastal waters:

• Up to 2.5 m: The seaboard of Babuyan Islands
• Up to 2.0 m: The northern seaboards of mainland Cagayan and Ilocos Norte

"Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions," PAGASA said.

Track, intensity outlook

On Saturday, Ofel is seen to move northeastward, traversing southern Taiwan, then emerging over the sea east of Taiwan by Sunday early morning.

It is expected to further weaken due to interaction with the mountains of Taiwan and increasingly unfavorable environment, and may possibly become a remnant low on Sunday or earlier.

PAGASA advised the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned to take all necessary measures to protect life and property.

The weather bureau will issue the next bulletin about Ofel at 11 a.m. —KG, GMA Integrated News