Oro on ‘blue alert’ for weather disturbance

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) is on blue alert as the city braces for the weather disturbance that will bring rains in Mindanao.

Allan Porcadilla, CDRRMD officer-in-charge said, although Northern Mindanao will not be directly affected of the Low Pressure Area (LPA), its office is in blue alert, which means that all of its personnel are on-call, and that all

emergency vehicles are available anytime and all resources are prepared.

Cagayan de Oro yesterday woke up to a gloomy Monday, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) as it is affected with the trough of the LPA.

In its 10:00 AM weather bulletin yesterday, the LPA was estimated at 290 km East of General Santos City, and will bring moderate to occasional heavy rains over the regions of CARAGA, Davao, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula while scattered light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are expected over the regions of SOCCSKSARGEN and ARMM.

Residents in these areas, especially those living near river channels, in low lying areas and in mountainous areas, are advised to take appropriate action against possible flooding and landslides, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices and continue monitoring for updates.

The weather bureau has raised Yellow Warning Level to Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, which includes Gingoog City, Magsaysay, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Sugbongcogon, Medina, Salay, Lagonglong, and Balingasag. Heavy rainfall was also monitored in Budkinon and Misamis Occidental.

The LPA will traverse Mindanao’s landmass and may develop into a tropical depression once it reaches the Sulu Sea, which will be given the local name “Samuel”.

“We are advising all floodprone barangays to be prepared,” Porcadilla said.

The blue alert status will immediately be lifted once the weather improves. (PJ Orias)