MANILA Philippines

 satellite image of Tropical Storm "Odette"

 

Tropical Depression "Odette" has intensified into a storm as it continues to approach Northern Luzon, the state weather bureau said before noon Tuesday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 10 a.m., Odette's center was estimated at 820 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City,
Odette was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Forecast to move west at seven kilometers per hour, PAGASA said Odette continues to move in the general direction of northern Luzon.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted over Cagayan province including the Calayan and Babuyan group of islands.

Heavy to intense rainfall (15 to 20 millimeters per hour) is expected within the 350-kilometer diameter of the storm.

PAGASA said Odette is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or "Habagat" that will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over the western sections of southern Luzon and Visayas.
State weather forecaster Jori Loiz earlier said that Odette is expected to stay within the Philippine Area of Responsibility for the next three to four days.