By J. Jala | 09:19 AM December 15, 2021
Signal No. 1 is now up in Bohol province and other several parts of the country as a result of severe tropical storm Odette (international name Rai), which slightly intensifies as it nears typhoon category, government weather forecasters said Wednesday morning.
The areas now placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 according to PAGASA include:
Visayas
Northern Samar
Eastern Samar
Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Bohol
northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Asturias, City of Carcar, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Toledo City, City of Naga, Balamban, Minglanilla, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
Mindanao
Dinagat Islands
Surigao del Norte
Surigao del Sur
Agusan del Norte
Agusan del Sur
Camiguin
eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Jasaan, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Binuangan, Claveria, Villanueva, Tagoloan)
“Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale) with higher gusts will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS No. 1 is currently in effect during the passage of the severe tropical storm,” Pagasa said.
TCWS No. 2 may be hoisted Wednesday morning or afternoon for some areas currently under TCWS No. 1.
“The highest level of wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of ‘Odette’ is TCWS No. 3 due to possible destructive typhoon-force winds in localities near or along the path of this tropical cyclone,” Pagasa added.
According to the latest weather bulletin issued by state weather bureau Pagasa at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 Odette was last seen at 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and moving west-northwestward at 25 kilometers per hour.
Pagasa added that Odette is carrying maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center, gustiness of up to 135 kph, and central pressure of 980 hectoPascals. Its tropical cyclone winds also extend outwards up to 330 kilometers from the center.
“Odette is forecast to intensify into a typhoon within 12 hours and may reach a peak intensity of 155 ph prior to making landfall tomorrow afternoon or evening,” Pagasa said.
