‘Ofel’ makes landfalls in Eastern Samar, Sorsogon; signal No. 1 hoisted in parts of Southern Tagalog

Tropical Depression “Ofel” made landfalls in Eastern Samar and Sorsogon as of Wednesday morning as it crosses Southern Luzon while dumping heavy rains in most parts of the country.

In its severe weather bulletin issued Wednesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration

(PAGASA) said “Ofel” made its second landfall in the vicinity of Matnog, Sorsogon around 6 a.m., at least four hours after it first hit land in Can-avid, Eastern Samar at 2:30 a.m.

According to PAGASA, “Ofel” was spotted 30 kilometers southwest of Juban, Sorsogon or 30 kilometers northeast of Masbate City, Masbate at 7 a.m., Friday and has maintained its strength with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

Lopez, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, Perez, Atimonan, Tayabas City, Mauban, Sampaloc, Lucban, Gumaca, General Luna, Macalelon, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong, San Antonio and Burias Islands).

Also placed under signal number 1 are Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran, all in the Visayas.

Areas placed under signal number 1 will experience “winds of 30 to 60 kph or intermittent rains within 36 hours.”

(Jansen Romero) SAND EROSION — Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, and DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda check the dolomite fillings at the Manila Bay due to reports of the fake sand being washed out due to the heavy rain fall the past few days.