Severe tropical storm ‘Ofel’ further intensified late Tuesday evening, prompting state weather bureau PAGASA to raise tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 1 in Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), the northeastern portion of Isabela, and the eastern portion of Apayao.
Forecasters warned of “minimal to moderate risk of storm surge” with peak heights of one to two meters in the next 48 hours over the coastal towns of Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Isabela and northern Aurora.
PAGASA maintained its earlier forecast that ‘Ofel’ may landfall along the east coast of Cagayan or Isabela by Thursday afternoon or evening. It will then emerge over the Luzon Strait and slow down by the weekend.
“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards on land and coastal waters may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the state weather bureau reminded.
The eye of ‘Ofel’ was last spotted at 630 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes moving west northwestward at 25 km per hour. It had maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 135 km/h.
Areas placed under TCWS No. 1 include: Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Divilacan, Palanan), and the eastern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol).
