Ilocos alert red for Super Typhoon Ofel; evacuations urged

The Ilocos Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC-1) raised its alert status to red at 8 a.m. on Thursday due to the potential impacts of Super Typhoon Ofel.

National government agencies and local government units in the region have readied against the typhoon, with prepositioned family food packs and non-food items available for distribution.

The Charlie Emergency Preparedness and Response Protocol was activated, indicating high risk as most parts of Northern Luzon experience the effects of the typhoon, urging preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 has been issued for the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan, specifically the municipalities of Santa Ana and Gonzaga.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has replenished its prepositioned family food packs and non-food items in anticipation of potential landfall or close passage.

Other agencies such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau have issued geohazard advisories, while the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Ofel's center was estimated to be 135 km northeast of Echague, Isabel, moving west northwestward at 15 kph.

Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Nos. 2, 3, and 4 are advised to take necessary precautions and prepare for potential landfall or close passage.