ANOTHER tropical storm has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and was named Ofel (international name Usagi), the weather bureau said Tuesday.

Both Ofel and Severe Tropical Storm Nika (international name Toraji) will bring moderate to heavy rains over Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, and Batanes.

Forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, according to the advisory of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said Ofel was packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Ofel was located 1,170 km. east of southeastern Luzon as of 4 a.m.

Ofel may make landfall over Northern or Central Luzon on Thursday afternoon or evening and could reach the typhoon category today, PAGASA added.

Meanwhile, Nika was last tracked 185 km. west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte as of 4 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Nika is forecast to exit PAR within the next 12 hours, PAGASA said.

NO LUZON-WIDE CLASS, WORK SUSPENSION — PCO

There is no recommendation from the Office of Civil Defense to suspend classes and work in government offices in the entire Luzon, amid the threat of Severe Tropical Storm Nika, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Monday.

“[There is] no need for Luzon-wide suspension,” PCO Acting Secretary Cesar Chavez said in a message sent to Palace reporters, citing OCD administrator Ariel Nepomuceno’s statement.

Nepomuceno said the class and work suspension now lies in the hands of local chief executives from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

He said local officials have the discretion to order the suspension “in consideration of the wind signals in their areas tomorrow (Nov. 12) and the adverse impacts of the ongoing rains.”

PAGASA WARNS OF POSSIBLE FLASHFLOODS, LANDSLIDES

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reminded the public to heed advisories of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on the potential impact of Tropical Storm Ofel.

In a press briefing at the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Cris Perez of PAGASA’s Weather Division said residents in areas already impacted by Nika should remain vigilant against the typhoon’s effects.

The soil in the mentioned areas have become saturated with rainwater, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides, the official said.

Perez explained Nika has brought a significant amount of rainfall in the Northern Luzon area.

“Sa mga kababayan natin sa Northern Luzon, kung nag-uulan na during the last few days, medyo saturated na mga kalupaan. Mas malaki ang tsansa na magkaroon ng flashfloods and landslides sa mga darating na araw dahil andito pa ‘yung epekto ng bagyong si Nika and then paparating na bagyong Ofel,” Perez said.

“Dapat paghandaan ng mga kababayan natin partikular na sa Northern, Central Luzon area sa posibleng epekto ni Ofel sa kanilang lugar,” he added.

In its latest advisory, PAGASA reported Nika has weakened, moving northwestward over the West Philippine Sea. Signal Number 1 was raised in several areas, including Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Apayao.

PAGASA JOINS HANDS WITH OTHER AGENCIES

The PAGASA has assured close coordination with partner agencies to monitor movements of the new typhoons.

PAGASA said the move is in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for concerned government agencies to track typhoon directions and provide the public timely information on the storms and their impacts.

“As early as last week, we’ve been coordinating with partner agencies natin in terms of disaster preparedness and mitigation regarding the effects of not only Nika but also tropical cyclone Ofel,” PAGASA Weather Division Officer-in-charge Cris Perez said in a press briefing in Quezon City.

Perez said they informed relevant agencies of possible effects of the typhoons in areas recently affected by the previous storms, particularly in Northern and Central Luzon.

“Patuloy po tayong makikipag-coordinate [to] provide updates on rainfall forecast, [at] wind signal para po we [can] prepare yung mga kababayan natin in those regions na posibleng maapektuhan din nitong paparating na bagyo,” he said.

PAGASA is currently monitoring three storms. The agency issued general flood advisories in the Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and MIMAROPA.

As of early Tuesday, Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” was spotted 185km west of Laoag City, and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) later today.

Tropical Storm Ofel (international name Usagi) also entered the PAR early Tuesday.

PAGASA is currently monitoring another storm (international name Man-yi) outside of PAR. PCO, PNA

AUTHOR PROFILE

People's Journal