Typhoon “Ofel” strengthened further on Thursday morning, nearing super typhoon status, as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Wind Signal No. 4 over parts of Cagayan province.
As of 4:00 a.m., Ofel was located 215 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela, with maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 205 kph. The storm is moving west-northwest at 30 kph.
PAGASA warned that Ofel could intensify to super typhoon strength before making landfall over eastern Cagayan or northern Isabela later Thursday. The state weather bureau did not rule out issuing Wind Signal No. 5.
Ofel is expected to bring destructive winds, heavy rain, and storm surges to Northern Luzon, with widespread damage, flooding, and landslides likely. Another landfall is possible over the Babuyan Islands late Thursday or early Friday.
At 5:00 a.m., PAGASA issued the following wind alerts:
Signal No. 4 (118 to 184 kph winds expected within 12 hours)
- Northeastern Cagayan (Santa Ana, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita)
Signal No. 3 (89 to 117 kph winds expected within 18 hours)
- Northwestern, central, and eastern Cagayan
- Northeastern Isabela
- Northern Apayao
- Babuyan Islands
Signal No. 2 (62 to 88 kph winds expected within 24 hours)
- Batanes
- Rest of Cagayan and Isabela
- Northern Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra
- Portions of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Aurora
Signal No. 1 (39 to 61 kph winds expected within 36 hours)
- Rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Abra, Kalinga
- Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern Benguet
- Portions of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Aurora
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Man-yi, located 1,510 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, is moving westward at 30 kph with winds of 85 kph and gusts up to 105 kph. It is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday evening and will be named “Pepito”. Man-yi may strengthen into a super typhoon and could make landfall in Bicol on Saturday, November 16, and cross Central Luzon on Sunday, November 17.