Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Issued at 5:00 a.m., Wednesday, 24 October 2012

Weather Bulletin Number SIX Tropical Cyclone Warning: Tropical Storm "OFEL" (SON-TINH) Issued at 5:00 a.m., Wednesday, 24 October 2012 "OFEL" has intensified into a tropical storm and threatens Caraga Region and Visayas. Location of Center: (as of 4:00 a.m.) 90 km East of Tandag, Surigao Del Sur  Coordinates: 09.0°N, 127.3°E Strength: Maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph Movement: West Northwest at 15 kph Forecast Positions/Outlook: Thursday morning:60 km Northwest of Maasin, Southern Leyte Friday morning:90 km Northwest of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro Saturday morning:460 km West of Iba, Zambales
	Areas Having Public Storm Warning Signal PSWS # Luzon Visayas Mindanao Signal No. 2 (61-100 kph winds) None Southern Leyte Dinagat Island Surigao Provinces Agusan Del Norte Northern Agusan Del Sur Camiguin Island  Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) None Samar Provinces Leyte Biliran Island Bohol Cebu Camotes Island Negros Provinces Siquijor Island Rest of Agusan Del Sur Northern Bukidnon Misamis Oriental
	Residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal (PSWS) #2 and #1 are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Residents in coastal areas under signal # 2 are alerted of possible storm surges. Estimated rainfall amount is from 5 - 20 mm per hour (moderate - intense) within the 400 km diameter of the Tropical Storm. Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the Eastern Seaboards of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to the combined effect of theTropical Storm "Ofel"and the Northeast Monsoon. The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 AM today.