MANILA, Philippines—The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday (Feb. 19) advised the public to brace for Tropical Storm Auring’s impact this weekend.
Residents of flood and landslide-prone areas in Mimaropa, Visayas and Eastern Mindanao were warned of a stormy weekend.
As of 5 p.m., Signal No. 1 was raised over the following areas:
Southern Leyte and the southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan including Homonhon Island), Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, Camiguin, the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Balingasag, Balingoan, Binuangan, Claveria, Gingoog City, Jasaan, Kinoguitan, Lagonglong, Magsaysay, Medina, Salay, Sugbongcogon, Tagoloan, Talisayan, Villanueva), and the eastern portion of Bukidnon (Cabanglasan, Impasug-ong, Lantapan, Malaybalay City, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Maramag, Quezon, San Fernando, Sumilao, Valencia City).
Auring is expected to hit land over the eastern coast of the Caraga region early on Sunday (Feb. 21), then take a northwestern path, passing through Caraga, Visayas and Mimaropa, a region near Metro Manila.
“With the country still in the middle of the rainy season, complicated by the La Niña phenomenon, there is a high risk of flooding and landslides occurring in various susceptible areas,” the NDRRMC said.
Local governments in hazard areas were advised to launch preparations.
The NDRRMC, led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, convened on Friday to discuss Tropical Storm Auring, La Niña, volcanic activities and other disaster management concerns.
READ: Auring weakens into tropical storm, but may re-intensify before landfall