MANILA, (PNA) — Public storm warning signal no. 4 has been raised over Batanes group of island and 16 provinces in Luzon are under public storm warning signals as Typhoon “Odette” (Usagi) has accelerated and gained more strength as it moves closer to extreme northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said on Friday.
PAGASA said that Batanes group of island under storm warning signal no.4, winds of more than 185 kph is expected within the next 12 hours.
Public storm warning signal no. 3 is now raised over the Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands, winds of more than 100 kph up to 185 kph may be expected in the next 18 hours.
PAGASA said the areas placed under public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-100 kph winds) include Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Public storm warning signal no. 1 (30-60 kph winds), on the other hand, was hoisted over Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province and Ifugao.
“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under signals 4, 3, 2 & 1 are alerted against possible flash floods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under signals 3 and 2 are alerted against storm surges,” PAGASA said.
Weather forecaster Gener Quitlong said that as of 10 a.m. typhoon Odette was spotted at was located at 350 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or at 360 km east of Calayan Island, Cagayan (19.5°N, 125.1°E).
Qutlong said that the typhoon’s wind strength increased from 175 kilometers per hour (kph) Friday morning to 205 kph before noon, while its gustiness rose from 210 kph to 240 kph.
He added that Odette continues to move northwest while its movement also accelerates from 15 kph to 19 kph.
Quitlong said that if Odette does not change course it is expected to make a landfall over Batanes by Saturday morning.
With its speed, Odette is expected to be out of Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday evening or Sunday and will be headed towards Hong Kong and southern China.
“Odette” was forecast to be at 50 km east of Basco, Batanes by Saturday morning.
By Sunday morning it is predicted to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) or at 310 km northwest of Basco, Batanes.
Quitlong also said that typhoon Odette continues to affect the areas of northern and central Luzon while southwest monsoon enhance by the typhoon affecting Southern Luzon and also Western Visayas.
PAGASA said Odette may bring rainfall of 10 to 20 mm per hour (heavy to intense) within its 900-km diameter of the typhoon.
PAGASA said that “Odette” will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas.
It said that residents in these areas are advised to be alert against flashfloods and landslides.
PAGASA also said that sea travel is risky over the western seaboard of Southern Luzon and over the eastern seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon and of Visayas.