Tropical Cyclone Odette has further intensified as it continues to approach the vicinity of Dinagat Island, the Philippines Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 8AM tropical cyclone bulletin.
It also placed the whole of Negros Island under signal number 2, as it foresees a damaging gale- to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours.
Signal number 2 is also up in Bantayan Islands, Siquijor, Guimaras, Iloilo, Antique, Capiz, and Aklan, and sea travel across the islands remain suspended. The weather bureau said moderate to very high seas (1.2 to 10.0 m) will be experienced over the seaboards of areas where tropical cyclone wind signal is in effect, especially in the open sea areas.
Heavy to torrential rains may also be experienced over Negros Occidental, Caraga, Central Visayas, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin and Southern Leyte.
Considering the on-going rapid intensification of the typhoon, there is an increasing likelihood that signal number 4 will be hoisted for several localities near and along the immediate path of the typhoon, PAGASA said.
Odette is expected to continue moving generally westward over the Philippine Sea and the center of its eye is forecast to make its initial landfall in the vicinity of Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, or the northern portion of Surigao del Sur this noon or early afternoon. Afterwards, its center will move westward and cross several provinces in Central and Western Visayas regions before emerging over the Sulu Sea tomorrow morning.
