Nolcom taps disaster response units as rains continue

The military’s Northern Luzon Command has activated and deployed its disaster response team units to respond to floods spawned by Tropical Depression Josie and the southwest monsoon.

“Nolcom has immediately utilitized its units from the different Joint Task Forces with a total of 40 to 50 disaster response team units deployed or pre-deployed to the area of concern which are mostly flooded,” Nolcom spokesperson Lt. Col. Isagani Nato said on Monday.

Reports culled by the Inquirer said Josie has so far left five people dead and six missing due to heavy rains.

Tropical Depression Josie has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Monday morning and was on its way to Taiwan. However, the southwest monsoon will continue to trigger rains and flooding.

The weather bureau is monitoring a new low pressure area 1,495 kilometers east of Central Luzon and is expected to enter PAR within the day.

It could develop into a tropical depression within 48 hours and will be locally named Karding.

“The jurisdictional area of Nolcom has been greatly affected by the continuous heavy downpour of rains brought by unfavorable weather conditions,” Nato said.

The heavy downpour also prompted Nolcom to go on red alert to address requests.

“Troops and equipment were sent to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations in support to authorities responsible in disaster response,” Nato said.   /vvp