Ofel continues to move further away but rains still likely in Luzon areas —PAGASA

Some parts of Luzon may experience light or moderate to heavy rains due to Tropical Depression Ofel as it further moved westward over the West Philippine Sea, state weather bureau PAGASA said Thursday.

In an 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Ofel may bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Central Luzon.

Ofel is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday morning.

Due to the Southwest Monsoon, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands).

PAGASA warned of possible flooding including flashfloods and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

The Regional Services Divisions of PAGASA are advised to issue local thunderstorm or rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings if needed.

The Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal has been lifted over many parts of the country, according to PAGASA.

“However, occasional gusts may still be experienced over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands) due to "OFEL" and the Southwest Monsoon,” it noted.

“Gusty conditions associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow will also be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Cordillera Administrative Region, Aurora, and the coastal and mountainous areas of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan Valley,” it added.

Gale Warning is up over the seaboard of Northern Luzon and the seaboard of Aurora due to rough to very rough seas (2.5 to 4.5 m) associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow.

“Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacrafts,” PAGASA warned.

Due to Ofel  and the Southwest Monsoon, PAGASA said moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m) are expected over the seaboards of Zambales, Bataan, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands).

“Those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out to sea over these areas,” PAGASA said.

At 10 a.m., Ofel was located at 275 kilometer West of Tanauan City, Batangas with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour and gustiness of up to 55 km/h moving Westward at 20 km/h.

According to PAGASA, Ofel may weaken into a low-pressure area within the next 12 to 24 hours over the West Philippine Sea. —KBK, GMA News