Ofel exits PAR; Southwest Monsoon to bring light, moderate rain

The tropical depression Ofel is now outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) while Southwest Monsoon is expected to bring rain over different parts of the country.

At 4:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression Ofel was estimated based on all available data at 500 km West of Iba, Zambales (OUTSIDE PAR) (15.4 °N, 115.3 °E ).

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It is moving West Northwestward at 20 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

Ofel will continue moving generally westward over the West Philippine Sea in the next 24 hours. The tropical depression is likely to persist until its landfall over the central portion of Vietnam between tonight and tomorrow early morning, where it is expected to weaken into a remnant low.

Today, the Southwest Monsoon will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains due to Southwest Monsoon over MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

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Flooding (including flashfloods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may issue local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings as appropriate.

Ofel exits PAR; Southwest Monsoon to bring light, moderate rain

Strong- to gale-force winds with occasional gusts due to the northeasterly surface wind flow will be experienced over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northern coastal and/or mountainous areas of mainland Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

Strong-force winds with occasional gusts due to the Southwest Monsoon will be experienced over Kalayaan Islands and the coastal and mountainous areas of southern Palawan.

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Gale Warning is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte due to rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 4.5 m) associated with the northeasterly surface wind flow. Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacrafts.

Moderate to rough seas (2.1 to 3.5 m) due to the Southwest Monsoon and the northeasterly surface wind flow will also be experienced over the remaining seaboards of Northern Luzon and the eastern and western seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon. Those with small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea.