Over 11,800 families affected by Typhoon Odette—NDRRMC
The onslaught of Typhoon Odette (international name Rai) has so far affected 11,859 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Friday, Dec. 17.
The NDRRMC said in its 8 am update on Dec. 17 that these families, equivalent to at least 41,434 individuals, have been evacuated as the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines in 2021 pummeled areas of Visayas and Mindanao.
These individuals are from 249 villages in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and the Caraga region, according to the national disaster agency.
There are about 192 evacuation facilities assisting 4,989 families or around 14,680 individuals, while the rest are currently taking shelter in the houses of their friends and relatives.
The NDRRMC added that a total of 83,026 families or 332,855 individuals were preemptively evacuated due to Typhoon Odette.
These include families in Western Visayas (3,162), Central Visayas (867), Eastern Visayas (58,109) and Caraga (20,888).
The typhoon has reportedly left at least one dead since it slammed into the island of Siargao on Thursday, Dec. 16, with minimum sustained winds of 195 kph. The NDRRMC is currently validating reports of this death and two more who are injured.
At least 73 seaports are currently non-operational or have suspended trips due to the typhoon. Some 4,503 passengers have reportedly been stranded along with 2,245 rolling cargoes, 75 ships, and three motorbancas in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Caraga region.
According to the 11 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Odette continues to traverse the Sulu Sea while moving generally westward.
Odette is forecast to make landfall in the vicinity of northern or central portion of Palawan Friday, Dec. 17, afternoon before it crosses the West Philippine Sea in the evening and the Kalayaan Islands on Saturday, Dec. 18.