Signal No. 2 up in Luzon areas due to ‘Ofel’

Metro Manila, Philippines — The weather bureau raised Signal No. 2 in three Luzon areas as Typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) inches closer to the island on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised the alert over Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela, and the eastern portion of Apayao.

Signal No. 1 is up in Batanes, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Aurora.

PAGASA warned of raising Signal No. 4 as the highest possible storm alert for “Ofel,” which is expected to further intensify before its landfall on the east coast of Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday afternoon.

“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be also emphasized that the track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence zone,” the weather bureau said.

Cagayan and Isabela may encounter heavy to intense rainfall due to “Ofel,” the fifth consecutive tropical cyclone to batter Luzon in recent weeks.

Moderate to heavy rains are expected over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Aurora, and Catanduanes.

PAGASA flagged risks of storm surge over coastal areas of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and northern Aurora.

“Ofel” is seen to emerge over the Luzon Strait on Friday and possibly make landfall or draw near Babuyan Islands.

Another tropical cyclone

PAGASA continued to monitor a tropical storm east of the country, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). It has an international name “Man-yi.”

Once it enters the PAR on Thursday evening, it will be named “Pepito.”

The tropical cyclone is expected to reach typhoon strength by Thursday afternoon or evening.

PAGASA warned it will make landfall with its peak intensity in the eastern coast of Luzon during the weekend.

But in a briefing, PAGASA senior weather specialist Chris Perez said the area probability for the potential “Pepito” would also cover possible landfall scenarios in eastern Visayas or central or northern Luzon.

Perez explained the ridge of the high pressure area in the northern part of the country could influence the movement of Typhoon “Ofel” and the possible “Pepito” until the weekend.