Camarines provinces evacuate families in high-risk areas

LEGAZPI CITY –– The governors of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur ordered Tuesday the evacuation of families in high-risk areas in anticipation of strong winds and heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm “Ulysses” (international name Vamco).

Camarines Sur Gov. Miguel Luis Villafuerte said the pre-emptive evacuation of families living in high-risk areas must be completed before 5 p.m.

Local officials were also directed to declog and clean the drainage, rivers, and other waterways to prevent flooding.

Estel Estropia, information officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said an incident command post was installed in Buhi town to support the villagers in the evacuation.

“They will provide full management and manpower support to evacuate all residents of Iraya and Ipil (villages) facing landslide risks and silt deposit in the area,” she said.

In 2018, the said villages suffered from floods and landslides due to Tropical Depression “Usman” that left several residents dead and several others missing.

In Camarines Norte, the government has also started the mandatory and pre-emptive evacuation.

Gov. Edgardo Tallado said there would be specific evacuation centers for the evacuees, separate from the coronavirus disease 2019 isolation facilities.

The “no-sailing” policy was enforced on all seaports, while fisherfolk were also prohibited from catching fish along the coastal waters.

The red alert status was raised in both provinces.

In its 11 a.m. severe weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and the eastern portion of Masbate (Aroroy, Pio V. Corpuz, Cataingan, Palanas, Uson, Dimasalang, Masbate City, Mobo, Baleno) including Ticao and Burias Islands.

ZB