TS ‘Jolina’ intensifies; storm signals raised in 21 areas
Storm warning signals were hoisted over 21 areas in Northern Luzon by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) as tropical storm “Jolina (Pakhar) intensified further and moved closer to the Isabela-
Aurora area where it was expected to make landfall Friday night.
As of 2 p.m. Friday, PAGASA said Jolina was located 145 kilometers southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 95 kph. Moderate to occasional heavy rains will continue over a large area of Luzon.
The weather agency raised tropical cyclone warning signal (TCWS) No. 2 in Isabela, Northern Aurora, Quirino, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Abra, and Nueva Vizcaya.
Cyclone signal No. 1 was raised over Cagayan, including Babuyan group of islands, Apayao, La Union, the rest of Aurora, Ilocos Norte, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Northern Quezon including Polilio Island, Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur.
Weather specialist forecaster Dr. Nikos Viktor Penaranda said there is a possibility of the occurrence of a storm surge with the expected wave length of 4.1 to 14 meters at open sea.
Penaranda said the estimated rainfall is from moderate to heavy within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm.
Residents within the TCWS No. 2 and 1, are alerted on possible flashfloods and landslides.
Sea travel is risky over the sea board of Northern Luzon and eastern sea board of Central and Southern Luzon.
Spilling levels PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said water elevation in Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga and Magat Dams are critical.
In his update, Orendain said that 25 mm of rainfall may cause water to spill in Ipo Dam while 10 mm of rainfall may also trigger a spillover at Ambuklao Dam.
Binga and Magat Dams were expected to open their gates at 5 p.m. Friday due to continuous rains. Communities near these dams were already advised of the release of water.
The areas that will be affected by the opening of the Binga Dam include Tinongdan and Dalupirip while the areas that would be affected by the opening of Magat Dam in Isabela include Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian and Gamu.
Blue alert
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management (NDRRM) Operations Center raised its alert level to Blue as part of its preparations for Tropical Storm (TS) ‘Jolina.’
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Romina Marasigan said this means that personnel from member agencies – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PAGASA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), shall render 24/7 duty to ensure immediate coordination.
NDRRMC Executive Director and Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad chaired the meeting which was attended by representatives from DOST-PAGASA, DILG, DSWD, (Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Board (DENR-MGB), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health (DOH), PCG, Department of Education (DepEd, Department of Transportation (DOTr) and PNP including members from AGOS and ERIC.
AGOS is a platform which uses mobile and web technologies to facilitate information flow before, during, and after disasters while ERIC (Emergency Response Integration Center) is a CSO working for information communication and management during disasters. It closely coordinates with the Rapid Emergency Telecommunications Team (RETT) during response.
Likewise, Regional DRRM Councils I, II, III, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, V and CAR joined the meeting via Skype.
The DSWD has ensured the prepositioning of relief items and equipment in both its Central and Field Offices. The National Response Cluster has been activated in anticipation of response and relief assistance for areas likely to be affected.
Marasigan advised the public to stay alert, monitor weather updates and advisories via television, radio and social media, and heed the advice of their local officials.
“Everyone is strongly encouraged to stay home and postpone any leisure and tourist activities especially to Northern Luzon,” Marasigan said