MANILA – Eleven areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are under public storm warning signal No. 1 as tropical depression "Ofel" changed its course and is now moving west-northwest in the general direction of Surigao del Norte, the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Samuel Duran said that as of 4 p.m. yesterday, TD Ofel was located at 220 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur (8.9°N, 128.6°E) and packed with maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

Duran said that Ofel has a high chance to make landfall at Siargao, in the vicinity of Surigao, but is unlikely to intensify.

He said that signal No. 1 is hoisted over Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Western Samar, Bohol, Camotes Island, Dinagat Island, Surigao Provinces, Agusan Provinces, Camiguin Island and Misamis Oriental which are expected to experience winds of 30 to 60 kph within the next 36 hours.

"Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal #1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides," PAGASA said.

Duran said those areas within its 400-km diameter are expected to experience rainfall of 5 to 15 millimeters per hour, which is classified as “moderate to heavy.”

He added that Ofel is forecast to move west-northwest at 15 kph and expected to be out in Philippine Area of Responsibility by Friday or Saturday headed toward China.

PAGASA said that TD Ofel is expected to be over the vicinity of Panaon Island, Southern Leyte by Wednesday afternoon; then over the vicinity of Roxas City by Thursday afternoon.

The weather agency also warned fishing boats and other small seacraft not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao due to TD Ofel and the northeast monsoon.

In its advisory, PAGASA said that Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Bohol, Camotes Island and the regions of Eastern Visayas and CARAGA will experience rains with gusty winds.

Bicol and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and the rest of the Visayas and Mindanao will be cloudy with moderate to heavy rainshowers or thunderstorms which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast will prevail over Luzon and the Visayas and coming from the north to northwest over Mindanao. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.*PNA

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