PH readies for ‘Ompong’ as typhoon nears

The NDRRMC on Tuesday raised the red alert as it directed local governments to prepare for Typhoon ‘Mangkhut,’ (right) which is expected to hit parts of Luzon over the weekend. PAGASA IMAGE

The government is bracing for the arrival of Typhoon “Mangkhut” (local name “Ompong”), which weather watchers say is a potentially destructive typhoon that may affect parts of Luzon later this week.

“Puspusan na ang paghahanda. Nung weekend pa lang sinabihan na ang regional directors na maghanda,” said Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in an interview with Radyo Inquirer on Tuesday.

(Preparations have been intensive. Since the weekend, regional directors have been directed to make preparations.)

“Ang kritikal dito ay yung maagap na advisory sa mga kababayan para sa maagang implementasyon ng evacuation kung kelangan para maiwasan ang casualties,” he added.

(What’s critical are the timely advisories to our countrymen so that evacuations could be enforced, if needed, to avoid casualties.)

He advised residents from areas likely to be affected by the typhoon to coordinate with their local governments.

Also on Tuesday, the NDRRMC raised the red alert ahead of the typhoon’s arrival.

International weather observers expect Mangkhut to reach a super typhoon category, while the local weather bureau says it won’t but said it would be a strong typhoon. It is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Wednesday afternoon.

The NDRRMC convened on Monday in preparation for Mangkhut. Jalad led the meeting attended by the representatives from agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, among others.

Northern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat said they established a regional operations center to facilitate faster coordination of humanitarian assistance and disaster response activities and other incidents.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration earlier warned that Northern and Central Luzon will be most affected by the coming typhoon.

By Friday, heavy rain is expected over Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Batanes, and Babuyan Group of Islands. /cbb