Odette slightly intensifies, Signal No. 1 raised over 15 provinces

Severe Tropical Storm Odette slightly intensified and is nearing typhoon category in strength, according to the Tropical Cyclone Bulletin posted by PAGASA early Wednesday morning.

As of 4 a.m., the center of Severe Tropical Storm Odette was estimated at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 135 kph, and central pressure of 980 hPa.

Odette is moving in the west northwest direction at a speed of 25 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over the following areas:

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Bohol
• the 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) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

Mindanao

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Camiguin
• the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Claveria, Villanueva, Tagoloan)

Heavy rainfall

On Wednesday up to Thursday morning, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands due to the trough and the outermost rain bands of Odette.

By early Thursday morning through Friday morning, expect heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Cebu.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may pour over Leyte, the southern portion of Eastern Samar, Siquijor, and the rest of Caraga.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains may be expected over Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and the rest of Visayas and Northern Mindanao

By Friday through Saturday morning, the weather bureau's forecast stated that heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may be experienced over Western Visayas, and the northern and central portions of Palawan including Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands.

Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains are to be expected over Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Negros Oriental.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be felt over Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, Aurora, the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, and the rest of Visayas.

The residents in these areas were warned that scattered to widespread flooding, including flash floods, and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in susceptible areas.

Severe winds

PAGASA also reported that strong winds, strong breeze to near gale, with higher gusts will be experienced by residents where TCWS No. 1 has been raised.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

In the next 24 hours, moderate to high seas will be experienced over the seaboards of areas under TCWS No. 1, making the coastal waters risky for all types of sea vessels.

Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

Track and intensity outlook

Odette is expected to move in the west northwest direction until Wednesday afternoon and continue to move westward.

The storm is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Thursday afternoon or evening then towards central and western Visayas regions before emerging over the Sulu Sea on Friday morning or afternoon.

Canceled classes and flights; relief goods

Classes for Wednesday, December 15, 2021, have been canceled in some areas due to the bad weather that may be caused by Severe Tropical Storm Odette.

Some flights were canceled due to the expected onslaught of Odette. Cebu Pacific issued an advisory on the December 16 and 17 flights that were canceled. 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offices in Central and Eastern Visayas have readied relief goods to be distributed to families that will be affected by Odette.

Land travels in Eastern Visayas meanwhile were canceled starting Tuesday, 8 a.m., except for those already in transit, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. —BAP/KG, GMA News