Typhoon 'Ofel' gains strength; 5 areas under signal 1

MANILA, Philippines - Five areas have been placed under storm signal No. 1 Friday morning as Typhoon "Ofel" (Jangmi) gained more strength and continued to move toward extreme northern Luzon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Ofel" was 610 km east northeast of Virac, Catanduanes as of 10 a.m. In its 11 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said areas under storm signal No. 1 include Isabela, Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, and Batanes. Pagasa said "Ofel" packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, and was moving northwest at 19 kph. By Saturday morning, the typhoon is expected to be 560 km north northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or 490 km east of Aparri, Cagayan. By Sunday morning it is expected to be 90 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. On Monday morning, it is expected to be 370 km northwest of Basco, Batanes. Pagasa said "Ofel" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Visayas and Mindanao particularly the western sections. It advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take necessary precautions against possible flash floods and landslides. - GMANews.TV