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| PAGASA MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 12:30 n.n., 25 October 2012 |
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical storm "Ofel" has made landfall in the southwestern part of Masbate and in Sibuyan Island, Romblon, the state weather bureau said on Thursday morning.
PAGASA said public storm warning signal no. 2 is hoisted over the following areas:
- Masbate
- Ticao Islands
- Romblon
- Oriental Mindoro
- Occidental Mindoro
- Lubang Island
- Marinduque
- Batangas
- Aklan
- Antique
- Iloilo
- Capiz
- Guimaras
- Northern part of Negros Occidental
On the other hand, the following areas are under storm warning signal no. 1:
- Metro Manila
- Bataan
- Zambales
- Pampanga
- Bulacan
- Rizal
- Cavite
- Laguna
- Southern part of Quezon Province
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Burias Island
- Calamian Group of Islands
- Cuyo Island
- Leyte Provinces
- Samar Provinces
- Cebu
- Camotes Island
- Rest of Negros Occidental
- Negros Oriental
In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Ofel was still packing 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 80 kph.
It was moving west-northwest at 20 kph. PAGASA forecaster Cris Perez said with this speed and direction, Ofel is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday evening.
"Sa sobrang lawak na dala nitong pag-ulan, marami talagang lugar na magkakaroon ng warning signal. We are expecting the same scenario to preveail within the next 24 to 36 hours," Perez told dzMM.
"Sa Friday expected ang gradual improvement of weather condition in most parts of the country, including Metro Manila," he added.
Perez explained that the storm crossed over the country as a high pressure north of the storm was pushing it.
Estimated rainfall is from 5 to 25 millimeters per hour (moderate - intense) within the 450-km diameter of the storm.
Fishing boats and other small sea crafts are advised not to venture out into the seaboards of Luzon and Visayas due to rough sea conditions.