MANILA – Despite further weakening, Typhoon Ofel (international name Usagi) continues to threaten Babuyan Islands, the weather bureau said in a 5 p.m. bulletin Thursday.
The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 275 kph. It was located in the vicinity of Gonzaga, Cagayan as of 4 p.m.
Ofel is forecast to pass close or make landfall over the vicinity of Babuyan Islands on Thursday night.
Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 4 is hoisted over Babuyan Islands and the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Santa Teresita, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Lal-Lo, Allacapan, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Gonzaga, Santa Ana, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira). These areas will continue to experience typhoon-force winds.
Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Maconacon, Delfin Albano), the northern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol, Calanasan, Kabugao), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg) are under TCWS no. 3 and will experience storm-force winds.
Gale-force winds will prevail in areas where TCWS no. 2 is hoisted: western and eastern portions of Isabela (Quezon, Quirino, Mallig, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, City of Cauayan, Benito Soliven, Naguilian, Gamu, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Roxas, San Mariano, Palanan, Ilagan City, Divilacan, Dinapigue), the rest of Apayao, Kalinga, the northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman), the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), and the rest of Ilocos Norte.
Strong winds is forecast in areas under TCWS no. 1: rest of Isabela, Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Ambaguio, Solano, Bayombong, Quezon, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Dupax del Norte, Bambang), the rest of Mountain Province, the rest of Ifugao, the rest of Abra, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Kabayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Buguias), Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union (Luna, Sudipen, Bangar, Santol, Balaoan), and the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dilasag, Dipaculao).
Intense to torrential rains are likely in Cagayan, while heavy to intense are expected in Batanes, Isabela, Ilocos Norte, Apayao.
Moderate to heavy rains are likely in Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Aurora, and Nueva Vizcaya.
There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and northern Aurora, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Gale warning is hoisted over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. (PNA)