Tropical Depression Ofel now outside PAR; moves towards Vietnam

Tropical Depression Ofel is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), PAGASA reported in a Severe Weather Bulletin issued early Friday morning.

Ofel will continue moving generally westward over the West Philippine Sea in the next 24 hours.

The tropical depression is likely to persist until its landfall over the central portion of Vietnam between tonight and tomorrow early morning, where it is expected to weaken into a remnant low.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Tropical Depression Ofel was estimated at 500 kilometers west of Iba, Zambales, outside PAR, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph and moving in the west northwestward direction at the speed of 20 kph. There are no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal raised in any part of the country.

On Friday, the Southwest Monsoon will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to southwest Monsoon over MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

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.

Strong- to gale-force winds with occasional gusts due to the northeasterly surface wind flow will be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern coastal and/or mountainous areas of mainland Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

Strong-force winds with occasional gusts due to the Southwest Monsoon will be experienced over Kalayaan Islands and the coastal and mountainous areas of southern Palawan.

Gale Warning is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte due to rough to very rough seas associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow.

Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacrafts.

Moderate to rough seas due to the Southwest Monsoon and the northeasterly surface windflow will also be experienced over the remaining seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern and western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Those with small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea. -- BAP, GMA News