Odette intensifies; storm signals still up

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MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Odette (international codename Usagi) intensified further as it continues to move northwest.

In its 11 pm update on Thursday, September 19, weather bureau PAGASA said Odette was 490 kilometers East of Aparri, Cagayan (18.4°N, 126.8°E), packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 210 kilometers per hour.

Storm signal number 2 is still up over the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, and Apayao.

The following areas are still under signal number 1:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Mt Province
• Ifugao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Isabela

PAGASA tells residents in low lying and mountainous areas under signal numbers 2 and 1 to be on alert for possible flashfloods and landslides. Those living in coastal areas under signal number 2 can expect storm surges.

Odette is forecast to be at 190 km East of Basco, Batanes by Friday evening and at 170 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes, and at 30 km South of Taiwan by Saturday evening.

By Sunday morning, it is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), and be at 500 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes or at 280 km West of Taiwan by Sunday evening.

Odette is expected to bring heavy to intense rainfall (from 10-20 mm per hour) within the 700-kilometer diameter of the typhoon.

The typhoon will continue to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan (MIMAROPA), Western Visayas, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas. 

PAGASA warns residents in these areas to be on alert for flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Occidental Mindoro and Palawan and over the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon and of Visayas. – Rappler.com