Severe tropical storm Odette intensifies; Signal No. 1 in 15 areas

MANILA, Philippines — More areas in Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Tropical cyclone wind signal No. 1 as Severe Tropical Storm Odette (international name: Rai) slightly intensified early Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

According to the Inquirer, Odette was last spotted approximately 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

It was moving west northwest at 25 kph.

Signal No. 1 was raised over the following areas:

-Northern Samar

-Eastern Samar

-Samar

-Biliran

-Leyte

-Southern Leyte

-Bohol

-Northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Asturias, City of Carcar, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Toledo City, City of Naga, Balamban, Minglanilla, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Bantayan and Camotes Islands)

-Dinagat Islands

-Surigao del Norte

-Surigao del Sur

-Agusan del Norte

-Agusan del Sur

-Camiguin

-Eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Claveria, Villanueva, Tagoloan).

Storm signals will be upgraded as “Odette” moves closer to the archipelago. The highest level of wind signal that may be hoisted is Signal No. 3.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands due to the trough or extension of the storm on Wednesday to Thursday morning. 

“Odette” is forecast to reach typhoon intensity within 12 hours and may reach a peak intensity of up to 155 kph prior to landfall on Thursday afternoon or evening over the Caraga and Eastern Visayas regions.

Moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the seaboards of areas under Signal No. 1, which will be risky for all types of vessels.

Moderate to rough seas will also prevail over the remaining seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Visayas, and the western and northern seaboards of Mindanao.

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