MAASIN CITY (PIA) -- Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte on Tuesday appealed for people in high-risk areas to evacuate as tropical storm “Odette” intensified on entering the Philippine area of responsibility, expectedly bringing strong winds and much rain.

“Southern Leyte is at the center, the direction,” of the storm’s projected path, the governor said in a video message in his facebook account.

He called on people to move to evacuation centers early on, especially those living by the riverside, in coastal areas, and in other places tagged as dangerous due to possible loosening of soil that may result in landslides.

The provincial disaster risk reduction management council headed by Danny Atienza is now  holding their command post at the capitol lobby for quick response for any emergency, and the counterparts at the municipal levels are also being alerted, Mercado said.

“Ampo ta nga dili ni kusog, moiway sa Southern Leyte,” Mercado said even as he stated the estimated arrival of the bad weather in the province on Thursday afternoon, December 16.

He said he may declare a half-day work on Wednesday, December 15, so people can prepare for the approaching storm which is forecast to intensify into a typhoon. (LDL/MMP/PIA 8-Southern Leyte)