TROPICAL depression “Odette” on Thursday maintained its strength and threatened to pound Cagayan province.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the center of “Odette” was estimated at 285 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan.
Packing maximum winds of up to 55 kms per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph, “Odette” was expected to make landfall Thursday night.
It was forecast to move west at 30 kph.
Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 was hoisted over Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan group of islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
Areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal #1 are: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Group of Islands, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur.
Heavy rains which may cause flooding or landslides with gusty winds and possible scattered lightning can be expected in these areas.
Cloudy skies with moderate to heavy rains with thunderstorms caused by “Odette” will prevail over Cental Luzon, the rest of Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera Administrative region, and Ilocos region.
The rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Zamboanga will be affected by cloudy skies with light to moderate winds with thunderstorms due to a trough.
Partly cloudy to cloudy skies apart from isolated rainshowers, caused by localized thunderstorms, will occur in the rest of Mindanao in the afternoon and evening of Thursday.
Small seacraft and fishing vessels are advised to stay ashore over the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon due to “the northeasterly surface windflow enhanced” by ‘Odette.’