Signal No. 2 rose over parts of eastern Luzon as ‘Ofel’ approached; ‘Pepito’ will enter PAR on November 14

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has placed parts of Cagayan and Isabela under Signal No. 2 as Typhoon “Ofel” (international name: Usagi) approaches eastern Luzon.

As of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 13, Ofel’s center was located 485 kilometers east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte, or 610 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

The typhoon sustained maximum winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 150 kilometers per hour.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA upgraded Signal No. 2 for the eastern part of mainland Cagayan (Baggao, Peñablanca, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Santa Ana) and the eastern part of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanman).

This means a “minor to medium” threat to life and property in areas covered by Signal No. 2.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is in effect over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, eastern Ifugao (Dilasag, Casiguran), rest of Ilocos Norte continues to be and the northern part of Aurora (Alfonso Lista, Aguinaldo, Banaue, Mayoyao, Hingyon, Hungduan).

Areas below Signal No. 1 may experience “minimal to minor impacts” from strong winds.

PAGASA said the highest wind warning that could be issued during Ofel’s passage was Signal No. 4.

Forecast tracking

PAGASA said Ofel will continue to move west-northwest to northwest over the Philippine Sea before making landfall along the east coast of Cagayan or Isabela on Thursday afternoon, November 14.

It may also continue to intensify and make landfall at its peak in the next 24 hours.

“The typhoon threatens areas previously affected by Typhoon Nika (Toraji). Typhoon Nika broke out yesterday (November 12) but now we are watching another storm. PAGASA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Marcelino Villafuerte II said at a press conference in Filipino that communities in Northern and Central Luzon are prepared for the impacts of Ofel, given that many areas are still inundated, especially Cagayan and Isabela. I hope,” he said Wednesday.

PAGASA added that Ofel’s track could still change in the coming days, with two possible scenarios: the storm will continue northwestward until Friday, November 15, then turn west-southwestward over the weekend, or “turn again” slightly to the right of its current forecast track off Northern Luzon.

PAGASA Weather Services Deputy Chief Chris Perez said if the storm shifts slightly northward, it will move further towards Batanes, while a southward shift will bring it closer to Isabela.

While the exact point of landfall remains uncertain, Perez warned that areas outside the forecast cone could still face significant hazards, especially along coastal waters and areas that could be affected by the typhoon’s outer bands.

precipitation view

PAGASA warned of moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters over Isabela and Cagayan on Wednesday), but rainfall could be heavy to heavy (over 200 millimeters) by Thursday.

Heavy to heavy rains (100 to 200 millimeters) on Thursday may also affect Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao; In Aurora, Nueva, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail. Vizcaya, Benguet, Quirino and Ilocos Sur.

PAGASA warned that these conditions could lead to floods and landslides, especially in areas that are highly susceptible to such hazards and have previously received significant rainfall.

Storm ‘Pepito’

Meanwhile, PAGASA is also monitoring Tropical Storm under the international name “Man-yi”, which is expected to enter the Philippine Area of ​​Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday evening.

Once inside, its name will be “Pepito”.

As of 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, the center of Man-yi was located 1,965 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, with maximum sustained winds reaching 65 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 80 kilometers per hour.

The storm is moving west-southwest at 30 kilometers per hour and could reach typhoon strength by Thursday.

PAGASA said on its forecast track, the storm could make landfall on the east coast of Luzon on Saturday or Sunday, November 16 or 17.

But Perez said a landing in Eastern Visayas has not been ruled out.

This could bring potentially hazardous sea conditions along the country’s east coast from Friday or Saturday.

“The storm may approach or make landfall in the Bicol Region or Eastern Visayas this weekend, then move towards Central Luzon. Given this forecast track, there is also a possibility that Pepito will affect Northern and Central Luzon,” Perez said.