Odette hits Butuan; third day of PSHS-CRC pre-Christmas party postponed
In response to the recent severe tropical storm “Rai”, which was later named “Odette”, the last day of the face-to-face Scholars Pre- Christmas party celebration in Philippine Science High School Caraga Region Campus (PSHS-CRC), is currently moved to a later date until further notice since the weather was deemed unsafe, especially for the students located outside of Butuan City.
Grades 11–12 regional scholars from Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur were heavily encouraged to refrain from traveling to ensure the students’ safety.
Beforehand these advisories, the first batch consisting of batches 2026 and 2027 were able to successfully hold their party in the school gymnasium and in other parts of the school on Monday; meanwhile, the second batch of students from batches 2024 and 2025 was also able to complete in the same manner earlier today.
Within Butuan, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) activated the CDRRMC Emergency Operation Center to urge the critical barangays that were under the Red Alert status to make preventive measures in their respective Emergency Operations Centers.
Furthermore, all citizens in barangays that were at risk in the floodway zone and landslide-prone area are constantly being monitored and given updates about the said tropical storm.
In a press briefing, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Mark Timbal said that around 10,000 villages mostly from Visayas and Mindanao will most likely be affected by Odette.
“Tinukoy na po ang lagpas 10,000 barangay na located du’n sa mga areas na posibleng tamaan po nitong bagyo diyan sa Kabisayaan at Mindanao and some areas also of Southern Luzon,” Timbal said.
Tropical Storm Odette intensified into a severe tropical storm, before entering the PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, making it the country’s 15th tropical cyclone of 2021.
According to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Severe Tropical Storm Odette can make landfall by Thursday afternoon, primarily focused on the areas in Caraga and Eastern Visayas.
