Typhoon 'Ofel' continues to gain strength - Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Ofel" (international code name Jangmi) continued to gain strength and has started moving toward the Batanes-Taiwan area Friday afternoon. The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Ofel" was 650 km east of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 p.m. Areas still under storm signal No. 1 are Isabela, Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, and Batanes. Pagasa said "Ofel" packed maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph, and was moving northwest at 19 kph. It said "Ofel" is due 490 km northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or at 410 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan by Saturday afternoon. By Sunday afternoon, "Ofel" is expected to be 120 km north northeast of Basco, Batanes. By Monday afternoon it is expected to be 500 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 all necessary precautions against possible flash floods and landslides. Also, those living in coastal areas were re alerted against big waves and storm surges generated by "Ofel." Meanwhile, an active low pressure area was estimated at 510 km west of Iba, Zambales. - GMANews.TV