'Bagyong Odette' PAGASA weather update, class suspensions October 13, 2017

MANILA, Philippines — 'Bagyong Odette' (international name Khanun) has maintained its strength and is now traversing Apayao, state weather bureau PAGASA announced in its 8:00 a.m. update on Friday, October 13, 2017.

'Bagyong Odette' real-time satellite image on Friday, October 13. Photo Credit: PAGASA/HIMAWARI

At 7:00 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm "Odette" was estimated based on all available data in the vicinity of Calanasan, Apayao (18.0 °N, 121.0 °E). It has maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It is forecast to move West Southwest at 24 kph.

Forecast Positions:

• 24 Hour(Tomorrow morning): 470 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte(17.7°N, 116.2°E)
• 48 Hour(Sunday morning):765 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte(18.7°N, 113.4°E)
• 72 Hour(Monday morning): 1,145 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte(19.3°N, 109.8°E)
• 96 Hour(Tuesday morning):1,545 km West of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte(19.2°N, 106.0°E)

Tropical cyclone warning Signal No. 2 was raised over four (4) areas: Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan group of islands, Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

'Bagyong Odette' made landfall in Cagayan at 12:40 a.m. on Friday.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is up over Isabela, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Benguet.

'Odette' is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains to areas within 400km of its diameter.

It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between tonight and tomorrow early morning.

PAGASA added that sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of Northern Luzon due to the passage of the storm.

In Metro Manila, Cloudy skies with light to moderate with occasional heavy rains and thunderstorms will be experienced.

#WalangPasok: Class suspensions for October 13

Due to inclement weather situation brought by tropical storm Odette, some local government units and schools announced suspension of classes on Friday.

Here is the list of class suspensions for Friday, October 13:

All levels:

• Cabugao, Ilocos Sur (all levels)

Preschool to Senior High school

• Abra
• Apayao
• Batanes
• Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
• Ilocos Norte

Preschool and kindergarten

• Benguet
• Ifugao
• Ilocos Sur
• Isabela
• Kalinga
• La Union
• Mountain Province

Stay safe and dry, everyone!

WATCH: Man who lives atop coconut tree for 3 years finally convinced to go down

A 47-year-old man who was identified as Gilbert Sanchez, resident of Poblacion La Paz in Agusan del Sur, had been living atop a 60-foot-high coconut tree for three long years. He was finally convinced to go down with the concerted efforts of the local government and was sent immediately to the hospital to be evaluated.

Screengrab from TV Patrol Caraga Facebook video.

Out of scraps of old fabric and small pieces of wood, Gilbert made a makeshift home atop the tree. His home has no walls and he relies on the coconut leaves to give him enough shade. Aside from the few clothes Gilbert hung, he doesn’t have any other belongings.

Family doesn’t let go of Gilbert

His mother, Wenefred Sanchez shares that her motivation to get up everyday is the thought of his son. And everyday, she would walk few miles leading to his son’s “residence.” There, she would call upon Gilbert to throw down the long rope where she would place the packed food and cigarettes she prepared for him.

Rain or shine, Gilbert has weathered the storms to stay away from everyone. According to Gilbert’s sister, Wilma, he started acting strange when he was hit with a gun in the head during an altercation back in 2014.

The community tries to rescue him

Micheal Lim, Barangay Chairman of Poblacion La Paz said that they had a hard time rescuing Gilbert because he refused and had an ax. They ultimately sought the assistance of search and rescue team of the provincial government.

With the efforts of the community and the local community, Gilbert finally left his makeshift home for three years. He didn’t say anything to any of his rescuers but agreed to go down from the coconut tree. Gilbert was greeted by his family who terribly misses him. He was immediately sent to La Paz District Hospital to be properly evaluated. He was then turned over to the police although the reason for it is still not clear.

The local government had recommended that Gilbert be seen by a psychiatrist for proper treatment.

World Mental Health Day

According to the World Health Organization, one out of four persons in the world will experience a mental or neurological disorder at some point in their lives.

Every year, people all over the world celebrate October 10 as the World Mental Health Day. It aims to help increase awareness on the mental health and to create noise on the support available to everyone.

-- Sally, The Summit Express