MANILA, Philippines – ‘Bagyong Odette’ (international name: Rai) further intensifies as it continues to approach the vicinity of Dinagat Islands-Surigao provinces, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 5:00 am update on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
At 4:00 am today, the center of Typhoon ‘Odette’ was estimated based on all available data including those from Hinatuan Doppler Weather Radar at 330 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
| Satellite image of Bagyong ‘Odette’ as of 4:40 am, December 16, 2021. Photo from PAGASA |
‘Bagyong Odette’ has maximum sustained winds of 150 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 185 km/h, and central pressure of 955 hPa. It is moving West Northwestward at 25 km/h. Strong winds or higher extend outwards up to 480 km from the center.
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS IN EFFECT
TCWS No. 3 (Destructive typhoon-force winds prevailing or expected within 18 hours)
Visayas
- Southern Leyte
- the southern portion of Leyte (Abuyog, Mahaplag, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Javier)
- Bohol
- the eastern portion of Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, City of Naga, San Fernando) including Camotes Islands
Mindanao
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- the northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Tubay, Santiago, Jabonga, Kitcharao)
- the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes)
TCWS No. 2 (Damaging gale- to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)
Luzon
- Mainland Masbate
- Ticao Island
- Romblon
- Cuyo Islands
Visayas
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Samar
- Biliran
- the rest of Leyte
- the rest of Cebu including Bantayan Islands
- Negros Oriental
- Negros Occidental
- Siquijor
- Guimaras
- Iloilo
- Antique
- Capiz
- Aklan
Mindanao
- the rest of Surigao del Sur
- the rest of Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- the northern portion of Bukidnon (Malitbog, Impasug-Ong, Manolo Fortich)
- Misamis Oriental
- Camiguin
- the extreme northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Sapang Dalaga, Baliangao, Plaridel, Calamba, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City)
- the extreme northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Dipolog City, Dapitan City, Sibutad, Rizal)
TCWS No. 1 (Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)
Luzon
- Catanduanes
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Albay
- Sorsogon
- Burias Island
- Marinduque
- the southern portion of Quezon (San Antonio, Tiaong, Candelaria, Sariaya, Dolores, Lucena City, Pagbilao, Padre Burgos, Atimonan, Agdangan, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Pitogo, Lopez, Guinayangan, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Mulanay, San Narciso, San Andres, San Francisco, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Quezon, Alabat, City of Tayabas, Perez)
- Batangas
- Oriental Mindoro
- Occidental Mindoro
- the northern and central portions of Palawan (San Vicente, Roxas, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli, El Nido, Puerto Princesa City, Quezon, Narra, Sofronio Española, Aborlan) including Calamian, Cagayancillo and Kalayaan Islands
Mindanao
- the northern portion of Davao Oriental (Baganga, Cateel, Boston)
- the northern portion of Davao de Oro (Laak, Mawab, Nabunturan, Montevista, Monkayo, New Bataan, Compostela)
- the northern portion of Davao del Norte (Talaingod, Santo Tomas, Kapalong, Asuncion, San Isidro, New Corella)
- the rest of Misamis Occidental
- the rest of Bukidnon
- Lanao del Norte
- Lanao del Sur
- the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Labason, Kalawit, Tampilisan, Liloy, Salug, Godod, Bacungan, Sindangan, Siayan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, La Libertad, Gutalac, Baliguian)
- the northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur (Bayog, Lakewood, Kumalarang, Guipos, Mahayag, Dumalinao, Tukuran, Tambulig, Ramon Magsaysay, Aurora, Molave, Sominot, Tigbao, Labangan, Josefina, Pagadian City, Midsalip, Dumingag)
- the northern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay (Titay, Ipil, Naga, Kabasalan, Siay, Diplahan, Buug)
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
On the forecast track, Typhoon ‘Odette’ will continue moving generally westward over the Philippine Sea and the center of its eye is forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, or the northern portion of Surigao del Sur this afternoon.
Afterwards, the center of ‘Odette’ will move westward and cross several provinces in Central and Western Visayas regions before emerging over the Sulu Sea tomorrow morning.
After passing near or in the vicinity of either Cuyo or Cagayancillo archipelago, ‘Odette’ is forecast to cross the northern or central portion of Palawan tomorrow afternoon or evening before emerging over the West Philippine Sea.
Further intensification is expected today as the typhoon crosses the Philippine Sea and may reach a peak intensity of 155 to 165 km/h prior to landfall. Post-initial landfall, ‘Odette’ may see some slight weakening as it crosses northeastern Mindanao, Visayas, and Palawan, but it is forecast to remain as a typhoon.
Re-intensification is likely once ‘Odette’ emerges over the West Philippine Sea. However, weakening may ensue beginning Sunday as the typhoon becomes exposed to increasing vertical wind shear and the surge of the Northeast Monsoon.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall
Today through tomorrow early morning: Heavy to torrential rains over Caraga, Central Visayas, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, and Negros Occidental. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Leyte, the southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and the rest of Northern Mindanao. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Bicol Region, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Quezon, and the rest of Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and mainland Bangsamoro.
Tomorrow early morning through Saturday early morning: Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains over Central Visayas, Western Visayas, and Palawan including Calamian Islands, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands. Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, and the rest of Visayas. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Caraga, the southern portion of Aurora, and the rest of Northern Mindanao.
Saturday early morning through Sunday early morning: Heavy to torrential rains over Kalayaan Islands. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains over mainland Palawan and Calamian Islands.
Under these conditions, scattered to widespread flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides are expected especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazard as identified in hazard maps, and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall.
Severe Winds
Destructive typhoon-force winds will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #3 is in effect. This may bring moderate to heavy damage to structures and vegetation.
Damaging winds reaching gale- to storm-force strength will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #2 is in effect. This may result in generally light to moderate damage to structures and vegetation.
Strong winds (strong breeze to near gale) with higher gusts will be experienced within any of the areas where TCWS #1 is currently in effect during the passage of the typhoon. This may generally bring up to very light damage to structures and vegetation.
Coastal Inundation
There is a moderate to high risk of storm surge of up to 3.0 m in height which may cause flooding in the low-lying coastal areas of Central Visayas, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and several localities in the northern portion of Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands, Antique, Camiguin, Leyte, Agusan del Norte, and Davao Oriental.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
In the next 24 hours, moderate to very high seas (1.2 to 10.0 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where TCWS is in effect (especially in the open sea areas). These conditions are risky for all types of sea vessels. Mariners are advised to remain in port or take shelter in port until winds and waves subside.
Under the influence of Typhoon ‘Odette’ and the prevailing Northeast Monsoon, a Gale Warning remains in effect for several coastal waters not under any wind signal, specifically the seaboards of Northern Luzon, and the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon.
In the next 24 hours, moderate to rough seas (1.2 to 3.1 m) will also prevail over the remaining seaboards of the country that are not under any wind signal. These conditions are risky for those using small seacrafts. Mariners are advised to take precautionary measures when venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigating in these conditions.
TROPICAL CYCLONES
‘Odette’, the 15th tropical cyclone this year, entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) at 7 pm on Tuesday, December 14.
On average, there are 20 tropical cyclones that could form or enter the PAR each year. Only half of those are projected to make landfall.
The weather agency declared the onset of the rainy season on Friday, June 5.
— The Summit Express