By Ma. Cristina Arayata / Philippine News Agency
Heavy rains may be experienced over the Surigao provinces and Dinagat Islands as Severe Tropical Storm Odette nears typhoon category, with several areas placed under tropical cyclone warning signal number 1, the weather bureau said Wednesday (Dec. 15).
In its latest tropical cyclone bulletin at 5:00 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Odette packs maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gusts of up to 135 kph.
It was last tracked at 735 km. east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west-northwest at a speed of 25 kph.
Light to moderate, with at times heavy rains are possible over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and the Dinagat Islands due to the trough and the outermost rain bands of Odette.
Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been hoisted over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, and 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, and Cordova), including the Bantayan and Camotes Islands.
Also under TCWS No. 1 are the Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, and the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Claveria, Villanueva, and Tagoloan).
Strong winds with higher gusts, and moderate to high seas will be experienced in areas where the TCWS is hoisted. These conditions are risky for all types of sea vessels.
Due to Odette and the northeast monsoon (amihan), the gale warning remains in effect for the seaboard of northern Luzon, eastern seaboard of central Luzon, eastern and western seaboards of southern Luzon, western seaboard of the Visayas, and the eastern seaboard of Mindanao not under any wind signal.
Moderate to rough seas will also prevail over the remaining seaboards of central Luzon, southern Luzon, and the Visayas, and the western and northern seaboards of Mindanao that are not under any wind signal.
Odette may make landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas on Thursday, PAGASA said. (PNA) – jlo
