Tropical Depression Ofel expected to make landfall in Dinagat Island

Published October 23, 2012 5:53pm

At least 11 areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 1 Tuesday afternoon as state weather forecasters reported that Tropical Depression (TD) Ofel had slightly changed course and may make landfall over Dinagat Island early Wednesday.

PAGASA forecaster Nikos Peñaranda said their models show that TD Ofel may also affect areas of Siargao Island on Wednesday, sweeping across the central Philippines before exiting in Mindoro towards the West Philippine Sea. "Ito inaasahang mag-landfall sa Dinagat ... bukas ng umaga. Babaybayin niya ang Central Visayas at dadaan sa Panay at Mindoro," Peñaranda said in an interview on dzBB radio.

While Ofel is relatively weak at this time, it may still bring significant rainfall, he said. According to the latest advisory from PAGASA, Ofel may bring rainfall of 5 to 15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy) within its 400-km diameter.

In a separate interview on dzBB, PAGASA forecaster Samuel Duran said Ofel may continue to gather strength while it remains at sea.

"Umiipon pa ito ng lakas," Duran said. NDRRMC on alert In an earlier report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said that its operation center's status was raised from blue to red and it has been continuously monitoring the situation.

"Emphasis should be on proactive actions—evacuation rather than rescue ... Let us untiringly aim for zero casualties," Office of Civil Defense officer-in-charge Undersecretary Proceso Domingo instructed local disaster risk reduction and management councils at the regional and provincial levels.

He reminded the local disaster management councils to disseminate weather updates to local media and community leaders.

The NDRRMC also said Coast Guard districts were reminded to be aggressive in informing the public about weather updates.

The Coast Guard was particularly reminded to warn small boats and seacraft and fishing boats "not to venture into the sea, and/or take necessary precautionary measures when going out."

Course change

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Ofel was estimated at 220 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, according to PAGASA's 5 p.m. advisory.

It said Ofel was moving west-northwest at a speed of 15 kph and is expected to be over the vicinity of Panaon Island, Southern Leyte by Wednesday afternoon.

By Thursday afternoon, the weather disturbance is expected to be in the vicinity of Roxas City. By Friday afternoon, it is expected to be 210 km west of Manila.

Areas currently under Storm Signal No. 1 are:

Leyte
Southern Leyte
Eastern Samar
Western Samar
Bohol
Camotes Island
Dinagat
Surigao provinces
Agusan provinces
Camiguin Island
Misamis Oriental

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal No. 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.

Rainy weather, flash floods

Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bohol, Camotes Island, Eastern Visayas and CARAGA region will experience rain with gusty winds, the weather bureau warned.

Bicol, MIMAROPA, and the rest of Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rain showers or thunderstorms, which may trigger flash floods and landslides.

Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with brief rain showers or thunderstorms.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and Visayas and coming from the north to northwest over Mindanao.

The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Gale warning

PAGASA warned fishing boats and other small seacraft against venturing out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to TD Ofel and the northeast monsoon. — TJD, GMA News

Tags: weather, tropicaldepression, tdophel