Typhoon ‘Odette’ further weakens; makes ‘final landfall’ over Palawan


Typhoon Odette (international name: “Rai”) has further weakened as it made another landfall over Roxas, Palawan, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Friday, Dec. 17.

(File Photo / PAGASA)

As of 4 p.m., the center of the eye of typhoon Odette was located over the coastal waters of San Vicente, Palawan. It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph), gustiness of up to 205 kph, and it is moving westward at 25 kph.

So far, the eye of Odette made landfall nine times. The following scenarios were recorded in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands; Liloan, Southern Leyte; Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte; President Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol; Bien Unido, Bohol; Carcar, Cebu; La Libertad, Negros Oriental; and Roxas, Palawan.

“Most likely ito na po ang huling landfall for typhoon Odette (Most likely, it will be the last landfall of typhoon Odette),” said PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja during a press briefing on Friday afternoon.

The State weather bureau said that within the next 24 hours, the typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 remains hoisted in the northern portion of Palawan. Destructive typhoon-force winds are expected in the area.

Areas under Signal No. 2 are the central portion of Palawan including Kalayaan, Calamian, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands. Damaging storm-force winds may affect the areas, said Estareja.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 remains in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, the western portion of Romblon, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, the western portion of Negros Occidental, and the rest of Palawan.

Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)