TD Ofel may stay till weekend, make landfall over E. Visayas or N. Mindanao

Tropical Depression (TD) Ofel is likely to stay until this weekend and has a high chance of making landfall on the eastern part of Visayas or Mindanao, state weather forecasters said early Tuesday.

 

PAGASA forecaster Bernie de Leon said TD Ofel is moving relatively fast at 13 kph and is likely to bring rain and strong winds.

 

"Mas mababa ang track ng pinanggalingan ni Ofel kaya medyo mataas ang chance mag-landfall sa Northern Mindanao or Eastern Visayas area," de Leon said in an interview on dzBB radio.

 

He also said it may stay until at least Friday or Saturday in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

 

"If there will be no significant deviation from its present track, TD Ofel might make landfall either in northeastern Mindanao or in the Samar-Leyte area tomorrow night and traverse central Philippines on Thursday on its way to the West Philippine Sea.  Owing to its nearness to land, Ofel may not reach typhoon intensity before landfall but may bring significant rainfall to Visayas and Mindanao," explained GMA resident meteorologist Nathaniel "Mang Tani" Cruz.  

^{Satellite image as of 7 a.m., Oct. 23}

9 areas under Signal 1

 

At least nine areas remained under Storm Signal No. 1 as of 5 a.m., PAGASA said.

 

It said that as of 4 a.m., Ofel was estimated at 460 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center.

 

PAGASA said Tropical Depression Ofel was moving west at 13 kph and is expected to be 190 km east of Surigao del Sur by Wednesday morning.

 

By Thursday morning it is expected to be 100 km north of Mactan, Cebu. By Friday morning it is expected to be in the vicinity of San Jose, Mindoro.

 

Areas under Signal No. 1 included:

 

 

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.

 

It added Tropical Depression Ofel may bring an estimated rainfall of 5 to 20 mm per hour (moderate to intense) within its 400-km diameter.

 

Flash floods, landslides

 

PAGASA said Eastern Visayas and Caraga region will experience rains with gusty winds.

 

The rest of Visayas and Mindanao, Bicol region and Mimaropa will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rain showers or thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

 

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rain showers or thunderstorms.

 

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.

 

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the northeast to north with slight to moderate seas.

 

Gale warning

 

PAGASA said strong to gale-force winds enhanced by the northeast monsoon and Tropical Depression Ofel may affect the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon.

 

"Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves," it said. — TJD, GMA News