MikeLigalig.com

by pna

The state weather bureau has maintained public storm warning signal No. 1 over nine Eastern Visayas-Northern Mindanao areas as tropical depression "Ofel" continues to move westward, posing risk to these areas.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecaster Boy Soriaga said that as of 10 a.m. Tuesday, TD Ofel was located at 300 kilometers east of Tandag, Surigao del Sur (09.0°N, 129.2°E), packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

Soriaga said that signal No. 1 is still hoisted over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Island, Surigao del Sur, Agusan provinces and Camiguin Island which are expected to experience winds of 30 to 60 kph within the next 36 hours.

According to Soriaga, Ofel has a high chance to make landfall between areas under storm warning signal No. 1.

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," he said.

PAGASA said those areas within TD Ofel's 400-km diameter are expected to experience rainfall of 5 to 15 millimeters per hour, which is classified as “moderate to heavy.”

Soriaga also said that Ofel is expected to intensify as it remains over the sea.

He noted that Ofel has increased its speed from 13 kph to 15 kph while continuing to move westward. It is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Friday or Saturday, headed towards China or Vietnam.

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