The amount of rain unleashed by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) last week surpassed the level brought by killer and destructive typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in November 2013, state weather bureau PAGASA said.
PAGASA forecaster Raymond Ordinario told the agency’s 143rd Climate Forum that its synoptic station in Virac, Catanduanes recorded 272.1 millimeters of accumulated rainfall between December 14 and 18, 2021, when Odette was within the Philippine area of responsibility.
It was higher than the 223.8 mm of rainfall recorded in Calapan, Mindoro when Yolanda hit the country eight years ago, leaving an ugly swathe of destruction in life and infrastructure.
Ordinario said the high amount of rain over Virac was due to the convergence of Odette with the Northeast Monsoon when it reached the West Philippine Sea before leaving the PAR noon of Saturday.
As for areas in Odette’s direct path, Surigao City recorded 234 mm of rainfall, while the town of Dauis, Bohol saw 232.7 mm of rain. Malaybalay, Bukidnon recorded 218.4 mm, while Butuan City experienced 207.6 mm of rainfall.
Odette was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 195 kph, on top of gustiness of up to 270 kph, at its peak.
In 2013, Yolanda had 235 kilometers per hour maximum winds and gusts of up to 275 kph at its peak.
“Comparing Odette with Yolanda, we can see that Yolanda brought less rain. But Yolanda had stronger winds and its track was much higher compared to Odette, so it triggered bigger storm surges. With Odette, we saw that strong winds also caused severe damage over areas of Visayas and Mindanao,” Ordinario said.
So far, Odette has left at least 258 people dead – lower than the previously reported 375 people from other official sources – along with 47 missing, according to the National Risk Reduction and Management Council or NDRRMC.