Typhoon Odette exits Philippine Area of Responsibility

Typhoon Odette has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday afternoon, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The typhoon exited PAR at 12:40 p.m., it added.

Before it left PAR, Odette endangered Kalayaan Islands in Palawan. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted over Kalayaan Islands on Saturday morning.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said "a slight re-intensification may take place today as ODETTE moves over the West Philippine Sea. However, the eventual exposure of the typhoon to increasing vertical wind shear and the surge of the Northeast Monsoon will result in a weakening trend beginning tomorrow (Sunday)."

Odette first made landfall over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte on Thursday afternoon, causing "total devastation," according to Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco Matugas, as shared by his son, Surigao del Norte Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II, on Saturday.

The typhoon has since traversed Mindanao and Visayas, making its ninth landfall over Palawan on Friday.

Eight provinces were left totally without electricity after  Odette damaged transmission lines as it crossed the Visayas and Mindanao over the past two days, the Department of Energy said on Friday.

Bohol and Cebu declared a state of calamity due to the damage brought about by Odette.

Dinagat Islands Governor Arlene 'Kaka' Bag-ao meanwhile said Odette has leveled the province to the ground, reminiscent if not worse than Yolanda.

Several flights were canceled due to the damage from Odette. —KG, GMA News