TACLOBAN CITY - As the skies start to get gloomy, local government units and communities brace for 'Rai' that intensified into a severe tropical storm while moving west-northwestward as of December 14.
With a high likelihood that tropical cyclone wind signals will be hoisted in the Visayas, fishermen in San Jose, Dulag, Leyte secured their fishing boats along the streets with the possible coastal inundation due to high waves and storm surge in low-lying localities near and along the path of the typhoon.
In Guiuan, Eastern Samar, Mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan issued an executive order declaring suspension of classes on all levels in public and private schools and suspension of work in all government and private offices on December 15-17.
Land trips going to Eastern Visayas remain canceled, while sea trips will continue until otherwise canceled by the authorities with the possibility of rough to high seas over the seaboards of Southern Luzon and the Visayas, and the northern, eastern, and western seaboards of Mindanao.
The center of the severe tropical storm was estimated at 1,165 km East of Mindanao.
It has maximum sustained winds of 95 km/h near the center, gustiness up to 115 km/h, and a central pressure of 990 hPa.
It is moving west-northwestward at 30 km/h while gradually intensifying and entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).Once inside the PAR, the domestic name 'Odette' will be assigned to it, which will begin moving westward over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday afternoon.
PAGASA said it may make landfall in the vicinity of Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Thursday (December 16) afternoon or evening.
'Odette' is forecast to reach the typhoon category on Wednesday.Pre-landfall peak intensity of around 155 km/h may be reached by Thursday morning or afternoon.