NDRRMC orders local officials to prepare for ‘Bising’

Local officials have been instructed to step up its disaster preparedness plan in anticipation of the possible adverse impact of severe Tropical Storm “Surigae” which may enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) either Thursday night, April 15, or Friday morning, April 16.

Once it enters the country’s area of responsibility, weather experts said it would be called “Bising”.

During the pre-disaster risk assessment meeting of officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), several areas have been identified as prone to severe effects of the weather disturbance.

As of 10 a.m. Thursday, the severe tropical storm was estimated 1,095 kilometers east of Mindanao with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometer per hour near the center and gustiness up to 115 kilometer per hour.

It is moving westward at 10 kilometers per hour but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the tropical storm remains less likely to affect the country, and has a low chance of landfall.

However, PAGASA said the weather disturbance may bring significant impacts in eastern portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas over the weekend until Monday.

“The public is again reminded to take precautionary measures, continue to monitor weather updates, and heed authorities' warnings and advisories alongside observance of minimum health protocols against COVID-19,” the NDRRMC statement read.

It added that the regional disaster risk reduction and management councils were also advised to conduct their respective meetings in preparation for the weather disturbance.