MANILA (UPDATE)—Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal Number 3 has been raised in the northern part of Palawan as Typhoon Odette is forecast to make landfall in the area Friday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

In its 2 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the center of the eye of the typhoon was seen 130 kilometers southwest of Cuyo, Palawan.

The typhoon has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near the center, with gusts of up to 215 kph.

PAGASA said Odette was forecast to hit land in the vicinity of northern or central portion of Palawan Friday afternoon, re-emerge over the West Philippine Sea Friday night, and pass in the vicinity of Kalayaan Islands Saturday.

The typhoon is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Saturday morning or early afternoon, it added.

"Odette may still see some slight weakening until it crosses Palawan, but it is forecast to remain as a typhoon," PAGASA said.

"Re-intensification is likely once Odette emerges over the West Philippine Sea. However, continuous weakening may ensue beginning Sunday as the typhoon becomes exposed to increasing vertical wind shear and the surge of the northeast monsoon," it added.

Tropical cyclone wind signals are raised over the following areas:

Signal Number 3 (Destructive typhoon-force winds prevailing or expected within 18 hours)

• Luzon
  • Northern portion of Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Araceli, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Cagayancillo and Cuyo Islands

Signal Number 2 (Damaging gale- to storm-force winds prevailing or expected within 24 hours)

• Luzon
  • Southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas)
  • Southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Calintaan, Rizal, San Jose, Magsaysay)
  • Central portion of Palawan (Narra, Sofronio Española, Quezon, Aborlan, Rizal, Brooke's Point) including Kalayaan and Calamian
• Visayas
  • Southwestern portion of Negros Occidental (Cauayan, Candoni, Ilog, Hinoba-An, City of Sipalay)
  • Antique
  • Northwestern and western portions of Aklan (Malinao, Madalag, Libacao, Buruanga)
  • Southwestern portion of Capiz (Jamindan, Tapaz)
  • Central and southern portions of Iloilo (Bingawan, Calinog, Dueñas, Lambunao, Badiangan, Janiuay, Cabatuan, Mina, New Lucena, Maasin, Alimodian, Leon, Zarraga, Pototan, Santa Barbara, Leganes, Iloilo City, Pavia, Oton, San Miguel, Tigbauan, Igbaras, Tubungan, Guimbal, Miagao, San Joaquin)
  • Guimaras

Signal Number 1 (Strong winds prevailing or expected within 36 hours)

• Luzon
  • Batangas
  • Southeastern portion of Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Mulanay, Catanauan)
  • Marinduque
  • Masbate (Esperanza, Mandaon, Palanas, Baleno, Placer, Cawayan, Milagros, Dimasalang, Uson, Cataingan, Pio V. Corpuz, Balud, City of Masbate, Aroroy, Mobo)
  • Romblon
• Visayas
  • Western portion of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Trinidad, Bien Unido, San Miguel, Dagohoy, Carmen, Dimiao, Danao, Buenavista, Inabanga, Sagbayan, Clarin, Catigbian, Batuan, Bilar, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Sevilla, Tubigon, Balilihan, San Isidro, Calape, Loon, Antequera, Maribojoc, Cortes, Corella, Sikatuna, Alburquerque, Baclayon, Tagbilaran City, Dauis, Panglao)
  • Siquijor
  • Cebu including Bantayan Islands
  • Rest of Negros Occidental
  • Negros Oriental,
  • Rest of Capiz
  • Rest of Iloilo
  • Rest of Aklan
• Mindanao
  • Northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Baliguian, Gutalac, Kalawit, Labason, Liloy, Tampilisan, Salug, Godod, Bacungan, Sindangan, Siayan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Mutia, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Sibutad, Rizal)
  • Northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Don Victoriano Chiongbian, Aloran, Oroquieta City, Lopez Jaena, Concepcion, Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Baliangao, Plaridel)
• 1 dead as Typhoon Odette batters the Philippines

Odette, the 15th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year, has so far left 1 person dead and 2 others injured.

Over 332,000 people sought emergency shelter due to threats of flooding and landslides, the state disaster response agency said.

Scores of flights were also cancelled and dozens of ports temporarily closed across the country, leaving thousands others stranded.

In the past 24 hours, Odette made 8 landfalls in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The typhoon first hit land in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte (Dec. 16, 1:30 p.m.) then moved to Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands (Dec. 16, 3:10 p.m.).

Odette made its third landfall in Liloan, Southern Leyte (Dec. 16, 4:50 p.m.) and proceeded to Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte (Dec. 16, 5:40 p.m.).

The tropical cyclone struck President Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol (Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m.), Bien Unido, Bohol (Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.) and Carcar, Cebu (Dec. 16, 10 p.m.).

Its eight landfall was recorded at La Libertad, Negros Oriental (Dec. 17, 12 a.m.).

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