MANILA – Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 4 is hoisted over the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita) as Typhoon Ofel (international name Usagi) further intensified, the weather bureau said Thursday.
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ofel packs maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 205 kph and is nearing the super typhoon category.
It was last located 215 km. east of Echague, Isabela.
Areas under TCWS no. 4 will experience typhoon-force winds, while storm-force winds will prevail in the following areas under TCWS no. 3: the northwestern, central, and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Lal-Lo, Allacapan, Gattaran, Baggao, Peñablanca, Lasam, Alcala, Amulung, Iguig, Santo Niño, Buguey) including Babuyan Islands, the northeastern portion of Isabela (Maconacon, San Pablo, Divilacan, Palanan), and the northern portion of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Luna, Pudtol, Calanasan).
TCWS no. 2 is hoisted over Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the northwestern and southeastern portions of Isabela (Cabagan, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Tumauini, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Quezon, San Mariano, Dinapigue, Quirino, Mallig), the rest of Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga (Pinukpuk, Rizal, City of Tabuk, Balbalan), the northeastern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong), and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Norte (Carasi, Vintar, Burgos, Adams, Pagudpud, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Piddig, Nueva Era, Solsona, Dingras, Marcos, Banna, Sarrat, Laoag City, San Nicolas, City of Batac, Paoay). Gale-force winds will prevail in these areas.
The rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Abra, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Bokod, Mankayan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan, Kibungan, Bakun, Buguias, Tublay), the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern portion of La Union (Luna, Sudipen, Bangar, Santol, San Gabriel, Bagulin, Bacnotan, Balaoan, San Juan), and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler, San Luis) are under TCWS no. 1 and will experience strong winds.
Meanwhile, intense to torrential is forecast in Cagayan and Isabela.
Heavy to intense rains will prevail across Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, and Kalinga, while moderate to heavy rains will be experienced in Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Aurora.
There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1 to 3 m 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.
A gale warning is hoisted over the northern and eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the eastern seaboard of Central Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.
Ofel is forecast to make landfall over the eastern coast of Cagayan or northern Isabela on Thursday afternoon.
PAGASA forecasts Ofel to further intensify within 12 hours and reach the peak intensity during landfall. (PNA)