The northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, particularly the town of Santa Ana, is taking a heavy beating once again as Typhoon ‘Ofel’ unleashed damaging winds, prompting state weather bureau PAGASA to place it under tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 3 late Wednesday.
Both Cagayan and Isabela were experiencing torrential rains measuring up to 200 millimeters, according to the 11:00 p.m. weather bulletin. Other affected provinces—Apayao, Kalinga, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Mountain Province, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Aurora—also deal with heavy rains.
‘Ofel’ was last spotted at 295 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora. It was moving west northwestward at a speed of 25 km per hour. It had maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 185 km/h.
Based on PAGASA’s forecast position, the typhoon is approaching Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, where it is expected to make a landfall—or in Isabela—by Thursday afternoon. ‘Ofel’ is expected to emerge over the Babuyan and Balintang Channels by Friday while making another landfall.
“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,” state forecasters reminded in the advisory.
“’Ofel’ is forecast to further intensity within 24 hours and possibly make landfall during its peak intensity. Given the tropical cyclone is now traversing over a more favorable environment, its probability of reaching super typhoon category is not ruled out,” PAGASA added.
As of this posting, TCWS No. 2 is raised over the following: The southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang), The rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Pablo, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, Ilagan City), Apayao, and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Carasi, Vintar, Burgos, Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg).
The following areas, meanwhile, are under TCWS No. 1: The rest of Batanes, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Ambaguio, Solano, Bayombong, Quezon, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde), Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa Catalina, Santa, Nagbukel, Narvacan), and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao)
