‘Odette’ intensifies into typhoon; Signal No. 1 up in Isabela, Cagayan

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image 10:32 p.m., 18 September 2013

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical storm “Odette” (international name Usagi) has intensified into a typhoon.

Odette was last observed 700 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Wednesday night.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, Pagasa said.

It was forecast to move west at 13 kph.

Signal No. 1 has been raised over the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan including Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands.

Odette will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, and Mindoro, Pagasa said, advising the residents in these areas to be alert against flashfloods and landslides.

Sea travel is risky over the seaboards of Occidental Mindoro and Palawan and over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and of Visayas, Pagasa added.

Typhoon Odette is expected to be at 440 km east of Tuguegarao City Thursday night and at 190 km southeast of Basco, Batanes by Friday evening.