More parts of Eastern and Central Visayas and Caraga were placed under tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 early Wednesday morning, Dec. 15, due to severe tropical storm "Odette" (international name: "Rai").
In its 5 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Signal No. 1 over Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, northern portion of Cebu, central portion of Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, and eastern portion of Misamis Oriental.
Strong winds are expected in these areas within 36 hours.
"Areas under TCWS (tropical cyclone wind signal) will be expanded in succeeding bulletins, while the hoisted wind signals in some localities of the country will be upgraded as Odette moves closer," PAGASA said.
"TCWS #2 may be hoisted this morning or afternoon (Dec. 15) for some areas currently under TCWS #1. The highest level of wind signal that may be hoisted during the passage of Odette is TCWS #3 due to possible destructive typhoon-force winds in localities near or along the path of this tropical cyclone," it added.
As of Wednesday morning, PAGASA said Odette slightly intensified and is close to becoming a typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
It was located at 735 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur as of 4 a.m. and was moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.
PAGASA said Odette may reach the typhoon category within 12 hours and peak intensity of 155 kph prior to landfall over Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Thursday afternoon or evening, Dec. 16.
After its initial landfall, Odette will likely continue to move westward and cross several provinces in Central and Western Visayas before emerging over the Sulu Sea on Friday morning or afternoon.
"After passing near or over the Cuyo archipelago, this tropical cyclone is forecast to cross the northern portion of Palawan on Friday evening before emerging over the West Philippine Sea," PAGASA said.
Heavy rainfall, flood warnings up
From Wednesday until Thursday, PAGASA said light to moderate with at times heavy rains are possible over Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands due to the trough and the outermost rain bands of Odette.
From early morning on Thursday through early morning on Friday, Dec. 17, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may prevail over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, northern portion of Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, northern portion of Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Cebu.
Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may also affect Leyte, southern portion of Eastern Samar, Siquijor, and the rest of Caraga, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains may persist in Bicol Region, Zamboanga del Norte, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, and the rest of Visayas and Northern Mindanao.
From early morning on Friday through early morning on Saturday, Dec. 18, heavy to intense with at times torrential rains may prevail over Western Visayas and the northern and central portions of Palawan including Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy with at times intense rains may affect Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Negros Oriental, and light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga del Norte, Quezon, Aurora, eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, and the rest of Visayas.
"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," PAGASA said.