Nona’s heavy rains good for drought areas but may be deadly to public – NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines — While the rains from typhoon “Nona” (international name Melor) may bring relief to some areas experiencing drought due to El Niño, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has warned the public to brace for moderate to heavy rainfall due to the weather disturbance.

NDRRMC undersecretary Alexander Pama said “Nona” would be a blessing to areas experiencing drought, taking note of the heavy rain that the typhoon has been projected to bring.

The agency has raised its alert level to blue alert in anticipation of the typhoon’s effects, with half of its personnel on standby and manning its operations center in Camp Aguinaldo.

The NDRRMC likened the expected rainfall of “Nona” to those of typhoon “Monang” in 1993, and the more recent tropical storm “Seniang” in 2014.

In December 2014, “Seniang” dumped 15 mm of rains per hour over Mindanao, leaving behind 66 dead. On the other hand, “Monang” killed 200 people in December 1993.

The NDRRMC said the public should expect moderate to heavy rainfall within the 300-kilometer diameter of the storm, which has been projected to hit the areas of Samar and Bicol.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has readied P23,034,400.47 in standby funds, 263,223 family food packs worth P85,595,059.06, as well as P185,670,882.86 in food and non-food items for its relief efforts.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has placed on alert the personnel and equipment of the Southern Luzon Command for possible humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts in its jurisdiction.  SFM