Typhoon Odette: Signal No. 2 up In More Areas in VisMin

More parts of the Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 2 Wednesday afternoon as Typhoon Odette intensified further.

In its 5 p.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Odette has increased its strength while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea.

It is forecast to gain even more strength before hitting land in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas Thursday afternoon or evening.

Signal No. 2 — which means strong winds will prevail or are expected within 24 hours — has been hoisted over the following areas:

Visayas

– Southern portion of Eastern Samar (City of Borongan, Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente, Lawaan, Balangiga, Giporlos, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan)

– Southern portion of Samar (Basey, Marabut, Santa Rita)

– Southern Leyte

– Central and southern portions of Leyte (Ormoc City, Jaro, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Palo, Santa Fe, Pastrana, Tanauan, Dagami, Tabontabon, Tolosa, Julita, Dulag, Burauen, Albuera, City of Baybay, La Paz, Mayorga, Macarthur, Javier, Abuyog, Mahaplag, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Babatngon)

– Camotes Islands

– Eastern portion of Bohol (Garcia Hernandez, Jagna, Sierra Bullones, Dagohoy, Talibon, Trinidad, San Miguel, Pilar, Duero, Guindulman, Anda, Candijay, Alicia, Mabini, Ubay, Bien Unido, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia)

Mindanao

– Surigao del Norte

– Surigao del Sur

– Dinagat Islands

– Agusan del Sur

– Agusan del Norte

– Northeastern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, Malitbog)

– Eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Villanueva, Jasaan, Claveria, Balingasag, Lagonglong, Salay, Medina, Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Binuangan)

– Camiguin

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1 — which means strong winds will prevail or are expected within the next 36 hours:

Signal #1 Luzon

– Catanduanes

– Camarines Sur

– Albay

– Sorsogon

– Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, the southern portion of Quezon (Guinayangan, Lopez, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, Buenavista, San Narciso, Mulanay, San Francisco, San Andres)

– Marinduque

– Romblon

– Central and southern portions of Oriental Mindoro (City of Calapan, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas, Mansalay, Bulalacao)

– Central and southern portions of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay)

– Northern portion of Palawan (Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, El Nido, Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands)

Signal #1 Visayas

– Northern Samar

– The rest of Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan

Signal #1 Mindanao

– Northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston, Cateel)

– Northern portion of Davao de Oro (Monkayo, Compostela, Montevista, Laak)

– Northern portion of Davao del Norte (San Isidro, Kapalong)

-Northwestern and central portions of Bukidnon (City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan, San Fernando, City of Valencia, Lantapan, Talakag, Baungon, Libona, Sumilao, Manolo Fortich)

– The rest of Misamis Oriental

– Misamis Occidental

– Northern portion of Lanao del Norte (Iligan City, Tagoloan, Pantar, Baloi, Matungao, Linamon, Kauswagan, Poona Piagapo, Bacolod, Maigo, Kolambugan, Munai)

– Northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur (Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Josefina)

– Northwestern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Rizal, Sibutad, Siayan, Sindangan, Bacungan, Salug, Godod, Liloy)

– Northern portion of Lanao del Sur (Tagoloan II, Kapai, Bubong)

Odette was last spotted 485 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 160 kph.

PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte until early morning of Thursday.

The weather bureau added the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are likely to be raised further “as Odette moves closer.” Signal No. 3 may be the highest, it said.

PAGASA also warned of possible widespread flooding, and advised local disaster officials to take all necessary precautionary measures.