Brace for rains as tropical depression "Ofel" is expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar-Northern Samar provinces on Wednesday, Oct. 14, before proceeding to cross the Southern Luzon region.
In its first severe weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) estimated the location of tropical depression "Ofel" at 115 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
"Ofel" developed into a tropical depression at around 2 p.m. Tuesday, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It is moving north-northwest at 15 kph.
Should the weather disturbance maintain its north-northwest track, "Ofel" will make landfall over Eastern Samar-Northern Samar area around Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday afternoon, "Ofel" will move northwest or west-northwest and traverse the southern portion of Southern Luzon.
PAGASA has raised tropical cyclone wind Signal No. 1 over Sorsogon, Northern Samar, and northern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar as early as Tuesday afternoon as "Ofel" continues to move closer to land.
Signal No. 1 may also be hoisted over Albay, Ticao Island, and the rest of Eastern Samar and Samar in the next PAGASA bulletin.
"Ofel" may bring moderate to heavy rains over Catanduanes, Masbate including Ticao Island, Albay, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, and northern portion of Leyte from Tuesday evening until Wednesday.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will also affect the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
MIMAROPA (Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), the rest of Visayas, and Mindanao may also have scattered rains due to the tropical depression and southwest monsoon or "habagat."
Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will have isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA warned of possible flooding or rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.
Moderate to rough seas will also affect the seaboards of Luzon and Eastern Visayas. PAGASA warned those using small boats to take extra precaution while venturing out to sea.
Weather specialist Joey Figuracion earlier said the trough or extension of the cyclone may also affect Metro Manila once "Ofel" moves closer to Southern Luzon. Light to moderate rains, which sometimes become heavy during severe thunderstorms, may prevail over the metropolis.
"Ofel" will likely remain a tropical depression while traversing the southern portion of Southern Luzon but will intensify into a tropical storm once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea, PAGASA said.