Typhoon "Odette" intensifies to "supertyphoon" level

Weather disturbance “Odette” has reached supertyphoon level as it gained strength and continues to threaten the northern part of the country.

In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, weather bureau PAGASA spotted Typhoon “Odette” at 350 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kilometers per hour.

It is forecast to move northwest at 19 kilometers per hour.

Public storm warning signal number 4 is now up over Batanes group of islands.
Storm signal number 3 has been raised over the Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.
Signal number 2 is now up over Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, and Ifugao are now under storm signal number 1.
PAGASA said estimated rainfall amount is from 10 to 20 millimeters per hour, considered heavy to intense, within 900 kilometers diameter of the typhoon.

Residents in low lying and mountainous areas under all storm signal warnings are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Coastal areas are also alerted for storm surges.

“Odette” will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon bringing moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and Western Visayas.
Sea travel is also risky over the western seaboard of Southern Luzon and the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon, Southern Luzon and the Visayas region.
"Odette" is expected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 290 km Northwest of Basco, Batanes by tomorrow evening.