14 areas in Visayas, Mindanao under Signal No. 2

Typhoon Odette gained strength as it moved west northwestward over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday, PAGASA has said.

In its 5 p.m. severe weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Odette was spotted at 4 p.m. at 485 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

PAGASA said Odette was moving westward northwestward at 25 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been raised over the following areas:

Visayas

• the southern portion of Eastern Samar (City of Borongan, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan),
• the southern portion of Samar (Basey, Marabut, Santa Rita)
• Southern Leyte
• The central and southern portions of Leyte (Ormoc City, Jaro, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Palo, Santa Fe, Pastrana, Tanauan, Dagami, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Julita, Dulag, Burauen, Albuera, City of Baybay, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Babatngon)
• Camotes Islands
• the eastern portion of Bohol (Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Sierra Bullones, Dagohoy, Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Pilar, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Mabini, Ubay, Bien Unido, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)

Mindanao

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

Meanwhile, under TCWS No. 1 are:

Luzon

• Catanduanes
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, the southern portion of Quezon (Guinayangan, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Buenavista, San Narciso, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres)
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• the central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro (City of Calapan, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao)
• the central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay)
• the northern portion of Palawan (Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, El Nido, Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands)

Visayas

• Northern Samar
• the rest of Eastern Samar
• the rest of Samar
• Biliran
• the rest of Leyte
• the rest of Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Antique
• Capiz
• Aklan

Mindanao

• the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel)
• the northern portion of Davao de Oro (Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, Laak)
• the northern portion of Davao del Norte (San Isidro, Kapalong)
• the northwestern and central portions of Bukidnon (City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, City of Valencia, Lantapan, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich)
• the rest of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental
• the northern portion of Lanao del Norte (Iligan City, Tagoloan, Pantar, Baloi, Matungao, Linamon, Kauswagan, Poona Piagapo, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, Munai)
• the northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur (Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Josefina)
• the northwestern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Rizal, Sibutad, Siayan, Sindangan, Bacungan, Salug, Godod, Liloy)
• the northern portion of Lanao del Sur (Tagoloan II, Kapai, Bubong)

On Wednesday and Thursday morning, light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte due to the trough and the outermost rain bands of Odette.

PAGASA said scattered to widespread flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.

Meanwhile, gale- to storm-force strength will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS No. 2 is in effect. This may result in generally light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation.

Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale) with higher gusts will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS No. 1 is currently in effect during the passage of the severe tropical storm. This may generally bring up to very light damage to structures and vegetation.

In the next 24 hours, moderate to high seas 1.2 to 7.5 m will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where TCWS is in effect, especially in the open sea areas.

PAGASA advised mariners and fishermen to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.

Odette is forecast to move west northwestward until Wednesday evening or Thursday morning, then westward thereafter.

On the forecast track, the center of this tropical cyclone is forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas on Thursday afternoon or evening.

The severe tropical storm will continue moving generally westward and cross several provinces in Central and Western Visayas regions before emerging over the Sulu Sea on Friday morning or afternoon.

“Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property,” PAGASA added. -NB, GMA News