By Brian Campued
Residents living in coastal communities are advised to stay away from the coast following a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that jolted Manay, Davao Oriental on Friday morning.
According to a tsunami warning issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) at 9:53 a.m. the following provinces are expected to experience wave heights of more than 1 meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits:
- Eastern Samar
- Southern Leyte
- Leyte
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao Del Norte
- Surigao Del Sur
- Davao Oriental
Phivolcs said the first tsunami waves will arrive between 9:43 a.m. to 11:43 a.m. and may continue for hours.
“The people in the coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland,” it said.
Mariners are also advised to secure their boats and move away from the waterfront, while those already at sea “should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised.”
In its earthquake information bulletin updated at 10:12 a.m., Phivolcs said the tectonic quake struck 44 km northeast of Manay, Davao Oriental.
The offshore temblor had a depth of 20 km.
Damages and aftershocks are expected, according to Phivolcs.
Intensity V was reportedly felt in Davao City, while Intensity IV was reported in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.
Instrumental intensities were likewise recorded in:
- Intensity V – Hinunangan, Southern Leyte; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; City of Davao; Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; City of Kidapawan, Cotabato; Alabel, and Malungon, Sarangani; City of Koronadal, and Tupi, South Cotabato
- Intensity IV – City of Cebu; Sulat, Eastern Samar; Abuyog, Alangalang, Dulag, and Hilongos, Leyte; Hinundayan, Silago, and Sogod, Southern Leyte; Kalilangan, City of Malaybalay, and San Fernando, Bukidnon; City of Cagayan De Oro; City of Digos, Magsaysay, and Matanao, Davao del Sur; M’lang, and Magpet, Cotabato; Gian, Kiamba, Maitum, and Malapatan, Sarangani; Banga, Polomolok, and Tampakan, South Cotabato; City of General Santos, City of General Santos; Columbio, and Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat; City of Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte; City of Surigao, Surigao del norte; City of Bislig, Surigao del Sur
-jpv
