‘Odette’ maintains strength as it nears Cagayan province

Tropical Depression “Odette” has maintained its strength as it approached Cagayan province.

Odette packed maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 65 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Thursday afternoon.

It continued to move westward at 30kph.

Signal No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan group of Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

LIVE: Tropical depression ‘Odette’ least likely to intensify, says Pagasa

Odette is expected to make landfall over Cagayan on Thursday night, Pagasa said.

The tropical cyclone was last seen 285 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.  Moderate to heavy rains are forecast within its 350 kilometer radius.

Pagasa said Odette will exit the Philippine landmass by Friday morning and eventually will leave the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday.

The weather bureau also warned of dangerous sea travel over the seaboards of Northern Luzon. /je