BLUE ALERT IN R11
OCD 11 reports as of 4 p.m. yesterday, all river systems in the region are in normal status and no untoward incidents were monitored
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD 11) elevated their alert status to “Blue” in preparation for the possible effect of Tropical Depression (TD) Samuel to areas in Davao region.
OCD 11 operations officer Franz Irag said that raised the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRMMC 11) operation Center to Blue alert status and issued same memorandum to all RDRMMC 11 member agencies and local DRRMC on Monday, November 19 as part of their preparedness measure for TD Samuel.
Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pag-asa) Tropical Cyclone Warning issued as of 2 a.m. on November 20, Tropical Cyclone Depression Samuel has maintained its strength as it moves towards the Dinagat-Samar-Leyte Area.
In their situation review, there is a possible raising of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal (TWCS) #1 over the southern portion of Mindanao, Palawan and Calamian Group of Islands in the next severe weather bulletin.
Moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides, are expected over Caraga region, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and the provinces of Negros Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley. Davao region will also experience cloudy to very cloudy skies with intermittent light rain showers in some parts of the region particularly ComVal, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte due to TD Samuel.
Irag said that as of 4 p.m. yesterday, all river systems in the region are in normal status and no untoward incidents were monitored so far.
He added that as part of their preparation, RDRRMC 11 issued a memorandum in the conduct of Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment Emergency Preparedness for Response (PDRA-EPR) Meeting in relation to Tropical Depression East of Mindanao to all Local DRMMCs and RDRRMC PDRA core groups members last November 16.
They also conducted 2nd Pre Disaster Risk Assessment-Emerency Preparedness Response (PDRA-EPR) Meeting with NDRRMC on November 19 and issued memorandum to all RDRRMC 11 Response Agencies to render 24 hour basis at OCD-RDRMMC 11 operation center. They also directed them to continuously disseminate weather updates and advisories to all LDRRMCs through email, telefax and social media.
“Pahimangno namo pirmi sa tanan nga magbinantayon sa palibot lalo na sa mga naa nagpuyo sa flooding and landslide prone areas. Coordinate pirmi sa ato mga Local DRRMCs and BDRRMCs para mabal.an nila kung unsay mga abiso sa ato mga Local DRRMCs labi na qng naa ipatigayon na pre. emptive evacuation ug mangandam sila kanunay sa ginatawag na Go Bag or Emergency Bag (I advised the public to be alert always of their surroundings especially those who are living in flood and landslide prone areas and coordinate with the LDRRMC and BDRRMC for any weather advisories),” he said.
Meanwhile, he allayed fears of the public in Davao Region since TD Samuel will not directly hit the region.
Asked whether there is upcoming typhoon that may hit the region similar to Typhoon Vinta last year, he said that they are monitoring a low pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility that might enter PAR this week based on the satellite monitoring but less chances that it might take a landfall.