Typhoon Ofel to bring heavy rains, storm surges in Northern Luzon

Typhoon Ofel, internationally known as Usagi, is forecast to bring moderate to torrential rainfall across several provinces in Northern Luzon from November 13 to November 16.

As of Wednesday evening, November 13, Ofel was spotted 425 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, moving west northwest at 20 km/h.

The typhoon has intensified, now maintaining maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h and gustiness of up to 160 km/h.

PAGASA expects Ofel to make landfall between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, potentially at its peak intensity over Cagayan or Isabela.

Moderate to heavy rains of 50 to 100 mm are expected from November 13 to November 14 noon in Cagayan and Isabela, with intense to torrential rains exceeding 200 mm anticipated from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon.

Heavy to intense rains ranging from 100 to 200 mm are expected in Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Abra, Batanes, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao, with moderate to heavy rains of 50 to 100 mm predicted for Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Quirino, and Ilocos Sur.

Areas likely to be hit by Typhoon Ofel include those previously impacted by Super Typhoon Marce and Typhoon Nika.

PAGASA warns that these rainfall amounts could result in widespread severe flooding and landslides, as well as localized flooding in low-lying and riverine areas.

Tropical cyclone wind signals have been raised for several areas, with Signal No. 2 indicating gale-force winds and Signal No. 1 indicating strong winds.

In the next 48 hours, there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surges reaching 1 to 3 meters in Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, and northern Aurora.

After landfall, Ofel may move over the Luzon Strait on Friday, November 15, pass close to or make landfall over Babuyan Islands, and turn northeast towards the sea east of Taiwan on Saturday, November 16.