Typhoon Odette approaching Kalayaan Islands; expected to exit PAR Saturday
MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Odette has maintained its strength while approaching the Kalayaan Islands in Palawan, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Saturday morning.
“Odette” was spotted at 4:00 a.m. approximately 240 kilometers west northwest of Puerto Princesa City with maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph while moving west northwest at 15 kph.
Tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 ison effect in the Kalayaan Islands, while the central portion of Palawan (San Vicente, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Aborlan) is under signal number 2.
The rest of mainland Palawan (Balabac, Rizal, Bataraza, Brooke’s Point, Sofronio Española, Narra, Roxas, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, El Nido) including Calamian Islands is under signal number 1.
“Odette” is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning or afternoon.
Rainfall alert
Pagasa said heavy to torrential rain is expected in the Kalayaan Islands and moderate to heavy rain in mainland Palawan, Aurora, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands.
A rainy Saturday is also forecast in the Bicol region, Northern Samar, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, and the rest of Quezon.
Strong winds
“Destructive typhoon-force winds will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #3 is in effect. This may bring moderate to heavy damage to structures and vegetation. Damaging winds reaching gale- to storm-force strength will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #2 is in effect. This may result in generally light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation. Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale) with higher gusts will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #1 is currently in effect during the passage of the typhoon.,” Pagasa warned.
Rough seas!
“In the next 24 hours, rough to very high seas (2.8 to 10.0 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where TCWS #3 is in effect (especially in the open sea areas),” Pagasa further warned.
In areas under signal number 1 and 2, rough to very rough seas (2.8 to 5.0 m) will prevail.
“These conditions are risky for all types of vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.” Pagasa stressed.
