LPA now tropical depression Ofel, Signal no.1 raised over Sorsogon, Visayas

Signal No. 1 has been raised over several areas after the low pressure area east of Eastern Samar developed into tropical depression Ofel, according to PAGASA.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, the weather agency said TCWS no.1 has been raised over the following areas:

•     Sorsogon
•     Northern Samar
•     The northern portion of Eastern Samar (Borongan City, San Julian, Sulat, Taft, Can-Avid, Dolores, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad)
•     The northern portion of Samar (Pinabacdao, Villareal, Talalora, Daram, Zumarraga, Calbiga, Hinabangan, Paranas, San Sebastian, Motiong, Jiabong, Catbalogan City, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao, Tarangnan, Gandara, Pagsanghan, Santa Margarita, Calbayog City, Santo Nino, Almagro, Tagapul-An)

PAGASA said TCWS no.1 may also be raised over Albay, Ticao Island, and the rest of Eastern Samar and Samar in the next bulletin.

?At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the center of Ofel was estimated at 115 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

It is moving north northwestward at 15 kph.

?Ofel is also forecast to make landfall over the Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area on Wednesday morning, according to the weather agency.

PAGASA said Ofel is likely to remain in the tropical depression category while moving over the southern portion of Southern Luzon. It is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm within 48 hours once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.

Hazards

From Tuesday to Wednesday morning, Ofel is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Catanduanes, Masbate, including Ticao Island, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and the northern portion of Leyte.

It is also expected to bring light to moderate with, at times, heavy rains over the rest of Eastern Visayas and the Bicol Region.

“Flooding (including flashfloods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas are expected over the seaboards of Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

PAGASA warned small seacrafts to take precautionary measures.

A severe weather bulletin on Ofel will be issued at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. -NB, GMA News