NOAA/Himawari-9 satellite imagery

MANILA (UPDATE) — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 remains hoisted over parts of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, even as typhoon Ofel (international name: Usagi) hammered mainland Cagayan and other areas in northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

In its 11 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Ofel was last located over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 200 kph.

Signal No. 4 remains hoisted over the Babuyan Islands and the northern portion of Cagayan, where typhoon-force winds pose significant to severe threat to life and property.

The following wind signals are also raised over these areas:

Signal 3

89 to 117 kph winds expected in at least 18 hours; Moderate to significant threat to life and property

- The southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang), the central and southeastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Lasam, Alcala, Amulung, Iguig, Santo Niño, Rizal, Piat, Peñablanca, Baggao, Gattaran), the northern and central portions of Apayao (Flora, Pudtol, Kabugao, Calanasan, Luna, Santa Marcela), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Pagudpud, Pasuquin, Burgos, Vintar, Carasi)

Signal 2

62 to 88 kph winds expected in at least 24 hours; Minor to moderate threat to life and property

-The rest of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, the northern portion of Isabela (Quezon, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Maconacon, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santo Tomas, Santa Maria), the rest of Apayao, the northern portion of Kalinga (Pinukpuk, Rizal, City of Tabuk, Balbalan), the northern portion of Abra (Tineg, Lacub, Malibcong, Lagayan, San Juan, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Daguioman), and the rest of Ilocos Norte

Signal 1

39 to 61 kph winds expected in at least 24 hours; Minimal to minor threat to life and property

-The rest of Isabela, the northeastern portion of Quirino (Maddela), the rest of Abra, the rest of Kalinga, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Banaue, Mayoyao, Hingyon, Hungduan, Lagawe, Kiangan, Alfonso Lista), the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, San Ildefonso, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa Catalina, Santa, Nagbukel, Narvacan, Gregorio del Pilar, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, Suyo, Sigay, Galimuyod, Quirino, San Emilio, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Salcedo), and the northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag)

TORRENTIAL RAINS

PAGASA also warned of heavy to intense rains over Batanes and Cagayan until Friday due to tropical cyclones Ofel and Pepito.

Moderate to heavy rains may also persist in Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Abra.

In the forecast track, Ofel is expected to continue moving northwestward and pass close or make landfall in the vicinity of Babuyan Islands late Thursday before turning north northwestward to northward Friday until Saturday.

After briefly exiting the Philippine area of responsibility, Ofel will turn northeastward towards Taiwan while re-entering PAR over the rest of the weekend.

Track and intensity forecast of Severe Tropical Storm Pepito. PAGASA/Handout

PEPITO

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone Man-yi has intensified into a severe tropical storm and has entered PAR. It has been assigned the local name Pepito.

It was last located 945 kilometers east of Eastern Visayas, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center, with gusts of up to 125 kph. Pepito is currently moving in a westward direction at 35 kph.

Due to the high pressure area over the south of Japan, Pepito is forecast to move westward over the next 24 hours before turning west northwestward to northwestward over the Philippine Sea while passing close to Eastern Visayas and Bicol region.

Pepito may make landfall over the eastern coast of Central Luzon over the weekend, PAGASA added.

It is likewise expected to intensify into a typhoon by Friday, and may reach super typhoon category by Saturday before making landfall.

Although it is still too early to determine the specific areas to be affected by Pepito, PAGASA said most areas in Luzon and Eastern Visayas are at risk of heavy rainfall, severe wind, and, possibly, storm surge inundation from Pepito which may cause considerable impacts.

Ofel slams into Cagayan, weakens into a typhoon

Thousands flee as Typhoon Ofel hits northern Philippines