Signal No. 3 now up in Cagayan as ‘Ofel’ intensifies further

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Ofel was last located 355 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 185 kph.

Under Signal No. 3, Santa Ana, Cagayan may experience storm-form winds which can cause moderate to significant threat to life and property.

Signal No. 2 is also hoisted over the southern portion of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte.

These area may experience gale-force winds which may cause minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Signal No. 1 is likewise raised over the rest of Batanes, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Aurora.

According to PAGASA, intense to torrential rains may affect Cagayan and Isabela until Thursday, which may cause widespread incidents of flooding and landslides.

Apayao and Kalinga may also experience heavy to intense rains, while moderate to heavy rains may persist over Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora.

There is also moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge of up to 3 meters in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and northern Aurora.

PAGASA, however, reiterated that regardless of the position of the typhoon, hazards on land and coastal waters may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence zone.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Man-yi intensifies slightly while moving west southwestward.

While still currently outside the Philippine area of responsibility, it may enter PAR by Thursday evening. It will then be assigned the local name “Pepito”.

On the forecast track, Man-yi may make landfall over Bicol on Saturday and pass very close to Metro Manila on Sunday.

The storm may also rapidly intensify up to super typhoon strength while crossing the Philippine Sea and make landfall over Bicol at peak intensity.

PAGASA says the uncertainty in the track forecast remains high and that the typhoon could make landfall anywhere between Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Residents of these areas should prepare for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surge. -- with a report from Ariel Rojas, ABS-CBN News