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'Ofel' intensifies into storm; 17 areas under storm signals
(Updated 8:19 a.m.) At least 17 areas were placed under storm signals as tropical cyclone Ofel intensified into a tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said early Wednesday.
In its 5 a.m. advisory, PAGASA said Ofel (international code name Son-Tinh) threatened the Caraga region and the Visayas.
As of 4 a.m., Tropical Storm Ofel was estimated to be 90 kilometers east of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur.
It has maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph. 
Satellite image at 7 a.m., Oct. 24
Ofel was moving west-northwest at 15 kph and is expected to be 60 km northwest of Maasin, Southern Leyte by Thursday morning.
By Friday morning it is expected to be 90 km northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. By Saturday morning it is expected to be 460 km west of Iba, Zambales.
Meanwhile, Storm Signal No. 2 was raised over:
- Southern Leyte
- Dinagat Island
- Surigao provinces
- Agusan del Norte
- Northern Agusan Del Sur, and
- Camiguin Island.
Under Signal No. 1 are:
- Samar Provinces
- Leyte
- Biliran Island
- Bohol
- Cebu
- Camotes Island
- Negros provinces
- Siquijor Island
- Rest of Agusan Del Sur
- Northern Bukidnon, and
- Misamis Oriental.
"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal No. 2 and 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.
It also reminded residents in coastal areas under Signal 2 to be alert against possible storm surges.
PAGASA said rainfall of 5 to 20 millimeters per hour (moderate to intense) may be expected within Ofel's 400-km diameter.
"Southern Leyte, Dinagat Island, Agusan Del Norte, Northern Agusan Del Sur, Camiguin Island and the Surigao Provinces will experience stormy weather with rough to very rough seas. Samar Provinces, Leyte, Biliran Island, Bohol, Cebu including Camotes Island, Negros Provinces, Siquijor Island, Northern Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and the rest of Agusan Del Sur will have rains with gusty winds with moderate to rough seas," PAGASA said.
It added Bicol, Mimaropa and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rain showers or thunderstorms which may trigger flash floods and landslides.
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rain showers or thunderstorms.
Moderate to strong winds from the northeast will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and from the northwest to southwest over the rest of Mindanao.
The coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough.
Strong to gale force winds may affect the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon and Northern Samar.
"Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to the combined effect of Tropical Storm Ofel and the northeast monsoon," said PAGASA in its advisory. — DVM/KG, GMA News
