Signal 4 for Odette

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon Odette (international name Usagi) intensified into a super typhoon as it moved closer to extreme Northern Luzon yesterday, prompting the state weather bureau to raise the highest storm signal over the Batanes group of islands.

Classes in all levels and work in government offices were suspended in Batanes after the province was placed under storm warning signal no. 4 as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said very strong winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) were expected in the area within 12 hours.

PAGASA defines a super typhoon as a cyclone with maximum winds greater than 200 kph.

The Hawaii-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center also classified Odette as a super typhoon.

Signal no. 3 was raised over Calayan Group of Islands and Babuyan Group of Islands, while signal no. 2 was up in Cagayan, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

Placed under signal no. 1 were the provinces of Abra, Kalinga, Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province and Ifugao.

In Aurora, two people died after a motorboat capsized in Dingalan due to the strong winds triggered by Odette, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

As of 4 p.m., the eye of Odette was spotted at 220 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes, packing winds of 205 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240 kph.

Odette, the strongest cyclone to enter the country so far this year, was forecast to move west-northwest at 19 kph.

PAGASA weather forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said the typhoon is not expected to make landfall but it will pass near Batanes this morning.

It is predicted to be 180 km northwest of Basco this afternoon and 390 km west northwest of Basco or outside the Philippine area of responsibility early tomorrow.

PAGASA warned residents in areas under public storm warning signals against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The agency said sea travel remained risky over the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.

PAGASA said the disturbance will also enhance the southwest monsoon which will dump moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms over the western sections of Southern Luzon and the Visayas this weekend.

2 missing, 242 displaced

The PCG said yesterday they have yet to release the names of the fatalities from motorboat Mikee Rose 1 which overturned in Dingalan, Aurora on Thursday evening.

PCG spokesman Commander Armand Balilo said the families of the victims would have to be notified first. – With Eva Visperas, Charlie Lagasca, Evelyn Macairan, Alexis Romero, Jaime Laude