By Alec Go
Several areas in Palawan are still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 as Typhoon Odette maintains strength before it makes landfall in the northern or central portion of the province this afternoon.
Based on the 2:00 p.m. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bulletin, the typhoon’s eye is 130 km southwest of Cuyo or 155 km. east northeast of Puerto Princesa City.
Odette may exit the Philippines on Saturday morning or early afternoon, “with some slight weakening until it crosses Palawan” and may intensify anew once it emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Areas currently under Signal No. 3 are:
LUZON: El Nido, Taytay, Araceli, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City, Cagayancillo and Cuyo Islands
Areas under Signal No. 2 are:
LUZON: Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas in Oriental Mindoro; Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay in Occidental Mindoro; and Narra, Sofronio Española, Quezon, Aborlan, Rizal, Brooke’s Point, Kalayaan, and Calamian in Palawan.
VISAYAS: Cauayan, Candoni, Ilog, Hinoba-An, City of Sipalay in Negros Occidental; Antique; Malinao, Madalag, Libacao, Buruanga in Aklan; Jamindan and Tapaz in Capiz; Bingawan, Calinog, Dueñas, Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, Cabatuan, Mina, New Lucena, Maasin, Alimodian, Leon, Zarraga, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Iloilo City, Pavia, Oton, San Miguel, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Tubungan, Guimbal, Miagao, San
Joaquin in Iloilo; and Guimaras.
Areas currently under Signal No. 1 are:
LUZON: Batangas; San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Mulanay, Catanauan in Quezon; Marinduque; Esperanza, Mandaon, Palanas, Baleno, Placer, Cawayan, Milagros, Dimasalang, Uson, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Balud, City of Masbate, Aroroy, Mobo in Masbate; and Romblon.
VISAYAS: Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Carmen, Dimiao, Danao, Buenavista, Inabanga, Sagbayan, Clarin, Catigbian, Batuan, Bilar, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Sevilla, Tubigon, Balilihan, San Isidro, Calape, Loon, Antequera, Maribojoc, Cortes, Corella, Sikatuna, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao in Bohol; Siquijor; Cebu including Bantayan Islands, the rest of Negros Occidental; Negros Oriental; the rest of Capiz; the rest of Iloilo; and the rest of Aklan.
MINDANAO: Baliguian, Gutalac, Kalawit, Labason, Liloy, Tampilisan, Salug, Godod, Bacungan, Sindangan, Siayan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Sibutad, Rizal in Zamboanga del Norte; and Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Aloran, Oroquieta City, Lopez Jaena, Concepcion, Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Baliangao, Plaridel in Misamis Occidental.
At least 12,829 families or an equivalent of 44,264 individuals in 262 barangays have been affected by the typhoon, while 332,855 persons from Regions 6, 7, 8, 9, and CARAGA were preemptively evacuated.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated in its report that an individual has died and two others were injured.
Malacañang on Friday (Dec.17) said the government continues to assist those affected by the typhoon, and called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Disaster Risk Reduction Management Division – Emergency Operations Center said it is “on alert” and is coordinating with other agencies.
The Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) has already set charging stations and has facilitated connectivity requests following the prepositioning of critical connectivity assets in some areas affected by the typhoon. -rir
