12.2K families in VisMin evacuate to safer ground amid Odette threat  

MANILA, Philippines — Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in parts of Visayas and Mindanao ahead of the expected landfall of Typhoon Odette (Rai) on Thursday afternoon.

A total of 45,383 people or 12,237 families have left their homes in Eastern Visayas and Caraga region to find safety in government shelters, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

Odette, which was last spotted 175 kilometers east of Surigao City, is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands or Dinagat Islands on Thursday afternoon.

It is expected to move westward and cross several provinces in the Central and Western Visayas regions.

The typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph, while moving westward at 25 kph as of midday Thursday.

Rough seas and storm surge, as well as heavy rain and flooding, were expected in areas along the typhoon’s path.

Almost 4,000 passengers, several cargoes, and vessels were stranded in various ports in the regions of Calabarzon, Bicol, parts of Visayas, and Caraga.

Dozens of flights and land travel in parts of Visayas and Mindanao were suspended.

The government has postponed a scheduled national vaccination drive in some areas expected to be hit by Odette.

The US military’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center has categorized Odette as a super typhoon.

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JPV