Tropical Depression Ofel is now over the West Philippines Sea and is expected to bring rain over Aurora province today, October 15.
According to the severe weather bulletin of Pagasa published 8 am today, Ofel is moving westward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.
At 7:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “OFEL” was estimated based on all available data at 170 km West Northwest of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro or 150 km West of Tanauan City, Batangas (13.9 °N, 119.7 °E ).
Ofel will continue moving westward or west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea today. There is an increasing likelihood that this tropical depression will weaken into a Low Pressure Area within the next 12 to 24 hours over the West Philippine Sea.
Today, Ofel will bring moderate to heavy rains over Aurora. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over mainland Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and the rest of Central Luzon due to Ofel and over Occidental Mindoro and Palawan (including Calamian, Cuyo, and Kalayaan Islands) due to Southwest Monsoon.
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. PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may issue local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings as appropriate.
Ofel to bring rain over Aurora today
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal #1 is hereby lifted for all localities. 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.
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.
Gale Warning is in effect over the entire 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.
Moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m) due to Ofel and the Southwest Monsoon will be experienced 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.