Ofel exits but will bring more rains

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Ofel will continue to bring rains over some parts of the country even as it exited the Philippine area of responsibility last night, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Ofel is moving westward over the West Philippine Sea.

Today, it is forecast to be around 960 kilometers west of Central Luzon and is likely to weaken into a low-pressure area.

Over 127 families have been evacuated in Bicol since Wednesday due to Ofel, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

The families came from 10 barangays in landslide and flood-prone areas in Sorsogon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

There were also 158 families or 665 individuals who fled to nine evacuation centers in Oriental Mindoro.

Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila as well as in the Bangsamoro region, Bicol region, Calabarzon, Caraga, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, the Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula.

Scattered rain showers are expected over Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras due to the northeasterly surface windflow.

The rest of the country will continue to experience rains due to localized thunderstorms and the southwest monsoon.

Flooding and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in landslide and flood-prone areas.

Gale warning has been raised over the entire seaboard of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA is also monitoring a weather disturbance east of Mindanao, which may develop into low-pressure area but is unlikely to become a tropical depression.