Odette nears typhoon category, expected to hit Caraga or Eastern Visayas

Severe Tropical Storm Odette (internationally named Rai) intensified and moved closer to the Philippines, nearing typhoon category with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h as of Wednesday morning.

PAGASA expects Odette to reach peak intensity of around 155 km/h before making landfall in Caraga or Eastern Visayas on Thursday afternoon or evening.

Odette entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Tuesday night and is forecasted to intensify into a typhoon by Wednesday, posing threats of heavy rains and strong winds for parts of Mindanao, Visayas, and Southern Luzon.