Odette gains strength while moving toward N. Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical Storm Odette (international name Usagi) gained strength while it remained almost stationary off the coast of northern Luzon yesterday afternoon, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised public storm warning signal number 1 over Cagayan, Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands at 10 a.m. yesterday but lifted it in the afternoon.

Odette intensified into a storm yesterday morning as it continued to move toward northern Luzon.

PAGASA said the storm will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over the western sections of southern Luzon, the Visayas and Babuyan Group of Islands.

PAGASA warned the public in Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas and Mindoro against possible flashfloods and landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms.

Metro Manila, the rest of central Luzon and  Calabarzon, the Visayas and Mindanao will have cloudy skies with light to moderate rainshowers and thunderstorms.

The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.