Typhoon Odette intensifies, may make landfall Thursday

Typhoon Odette has intensified over the Philippine Sea with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

As of 11 p.m. on Wednesday, the typhoon was located 470 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, moving west at 15 kph.

Areas in Caraga, including Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and northern portions of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur, are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3.

TCWS No. 2 has been hoisted over various parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Moderate to high seas are expected over the seaboards of areas with TCWS, with strong winds extending 400 km from the typhoon's center.

Light to moderate, at times heavy, rains are forecast over Caraga, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte.

Fishermen in Eastern Visayas and Mindanao have been advised to halt fishing activities, with evacuations in coastal areas and a no sailing policy enforced.

Typhoon Odette is projected to make landfall by Thursday afternoon in either the Surigao provinces-Dinagat Islands area or the southern part of Eastern Visayas, possibly reaching a peak intensity of 155 kph prior to landfall.