TACLOBAN CITY - The Police Regional Office 8 urged people from landslide and flood-prone areas to evacuate early if needed as Severe Tropical Storm 'Odette' enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday (Dec. 14).
"We are ready for the threats of the impending typhoon. However, our police personnel are only humans. They are not superheroes so when you are advised to evacuate, please obey our authorities at once," PLCol. Bella Rentuaya, PRO8 information officer said.
PRO8 has 1,581 PNP personnel on standby alert for the Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR), and 666 personnel as the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF).
PRO8 Chief Rommel Cabagnot has ordered the activation of the regional, provincial, city, and municipal Disaster Incident Management Task Group (DIMTG) in coordination with the Regional Operations Division (ROD) 8.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau identified a total of 3,124 landslide and flood-prone barangays and areas in Region 8 as of 2p.m. Tuesday.
Most of them come from the provinces of Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Leyte.
MGB said the torrential rains experienced since last week will affect Eastern Samar's condition considering the huge rainfall accumulation in the province.
"On top of the shear line, 'Odette' will exacerbate our current situation that is why we have sent out warnings and advisories as early as now because our soil is already saturated," MGB said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, and the northern and central portions of Cebu, including Bantayan and Camotes Islands.
PAGASA said Wednesday, 4:00 a.m., that 'Odette' slightly intensified and is nearing typhoon category in strength.
The center of Severe Tropical Storm 'Odette' was estimated at 735 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with 110 km/h near the center maximum sustained winds, gustiness of up to 135 km/h, and a central pressure of 980 hPa.