Typhoon Odette damages infrastructure, floods parts of Mindanao

Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) left homes roofless and communities flooded in parts of Southern Philippines as it made its first landfall at Siargao Island on Thursday afternoon.

According to John Consulta's "24 Oras" report, several infrastructure were damaged as waves became violent at the coastline Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.  Destructive wind prevailing within 12 hours is expected  as the city was placed under Signal No. 4.

Waves were also violent in the waters in Siargao Island.

In Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, roofs of houses flew due to Odette's strong winds.

Residents in Tubay, Agusan del Norte suffered from extreme flooding due to incessant rains.

Water in the Mandulog River in Iligan City  were as high as the trees. Residents in the area were haunted by the impact of Tropical Storm Sendong in 2011, which was considered one of the most destructive in Philippine history. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard in Cagayan de Oro conducted evacuation and rescue operations during the onslaught of Odette. A one-year-old baby and seniors were saved from the heavy flooding.

Over eight areas in Visayas and Mindanao are under Signal No. 4 amid Odette, state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

Odette was spotted in the vicinity of Liloan, Southern Leyte with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 270 km per hour, and central pressure of 915 hPa. It is moving westward at 30 kph.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News