Typhoon ‘Odette’ further intensifies, threatens Northern Luzon

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image as of 6:32 p.m., 19 September 2013     https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines — More areas were placed under storm signals as typhoon Odette (international name Usagi) intensified further as it continued to threaten Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said Thursday.

Odette now packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 190 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

It was last observed 570 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, and moved faster northwest at 15 kph.

Areas placed under Signal No. 2 were: Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Island and Apayao. Those under Signal No. 1 were: IIocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Abra, Kalinga and Isabela.

Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals were alerted against possible flashfloods, landslides and storm surges. Heavy to intense rains were seen within the 700 kilometer-diameter of the typhoon.

Odette is seen to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Sunday. Until then, it will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

Sea travel is still risky over the seaboards of Occidental Mindoro and Palawan and over the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon and of Visayas, Pagasa warned.