NDRRMC PR
Residents of flood-and landslide prone areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are advised to prepare for a rainy weekend as three weather systems affect the country’s weather: Tropical Depression ‘VICKY’, the Northeast Monsoon (AMIHAN) and the Tail End of a Frontal System.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has been issuing regular rainfall warnings via the mobile text alerts system to various locations:
Red rainfall warnings were sent past 2AM today to areas in the Visayas affected by TD VICKY: Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Biliran and Siquijor. While Orange rainfall warnings were sent to the provinces of Samar and Eastern Samar. This was followed by Orange rainfall warning sent to Surigao del Sur, in Mindanao.
Orange rainfall warning was released early this morning for Sorsogon and Northern Samar. This was then followed by a Red rainfall over Camarines Norte, Sorsogon and Northern Samar and another Orange warning over Albay province.
Based on tomorrow’s weather forecast from PAGASA, Bicol Region, Quezon, Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya have been warned of heavy to intense rainfall. Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Oriental Mindoro, Kalayaan Islands, and the rest of mainland Cagayan Valley will experience moderate to heavy with at times intense rainfall. While Eastern Visayas, Dinagat Islands, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA will experience Light to moderate with at times heavy rains tomorrow.
With the country still in the middle of the rainy season, complicated by the La Niña phenomenon, there is a high risk of flooding and landslides occuring in various susceptible areas. Local governments of communities located in the flood plains and banks of the Cagayan river and its tributaries, Agusan River all the way to Butuan City, and Bicol region river systems must undertake the necessary preparations as prescribed in the Oplan Listo Manual of the DILG.
“LGU preparation is key to ensuring public safety against the threat of natural hazards, such as floods and landslides.” Said Usec Ricardo B Jalad, NDRRMC executive director. “We reiterate the guidance in NDRRMC Memo 54 as well where the importance of evacuation planning and the inventory of stockpiles and preparation of evacuation centers are emphasized.” he added.
The public is advised to stay updated by monitoring weather advisories and instructions issued by their local authorities.
To date, TD ‘VICKY’ is still at the Sulu sea and is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility by tomorrow afternoon.
