PHOTO FROM NDRRMC
MANILA, Philippines — More than 10,000 barangays may be affected by an approaching tropical cyclone, which is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday night, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday that these barangays are located in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, as well as in certain parts of Southern Luzon.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration earlier said Tropical Storm Rai will be named Odette once it enters the country’s jurisdiction.
“Tinukoy na po ang lagpas 10,000 barangay na located du’n sa mga areas na posibleng tamaan po nitong bagyo diyan sa Kabisayaan at Mindanao and some areas also of Southern Luzon,” Timbal said.
(We identified over 10,000 barangays located in the areas where the tropical cyclone may hit there in the Visayas and Mindanao, and some areas also of Southern Luzon.)
“Nagpalabas din po tayo ng warning and reminders doon sa local governments in the Northern Luzon area kasi baka makaranas po sila ng pag-uulan din dulot naman po ng shear line na maaapektuhan po ni bagyong Odette,” he added.
(We also issued warnings and reminders to local governments in the Northern Luzon area because they may also experience rains brought by the shear line which may be affected by Odette.)
READ: Tropical depression outside PAR now a tropical storm; to enter PH on Dec 14
Timbal likewise said that local government units (LGUs) may conduct a preemptive evacuation if they perceive an imminent risk in their area.
“Na-identify nga po natin ‘yung mga areas na at risk kaya po pinaalalahanan po ‘yung mga LGUs na bago pa po dapat dumating itong sama ng panahon at nakikita po ‘yung imminent risk sa area, maaari pong magsagawa na ng preemptive evacuation itong ating mga local government units,” he said.
(Since we identified the areas at risk, we remind LGUs that before the weather disturbance enters and they see an imminent risk in the area, they may conduct a preemptive evacuation.)
“Part of the preparations din is magkakaroon ng travel suspension sa inter-island sea travels diyan sa Bicol Region, sa Eastern Visayas, and in Caraga para po maiwasan po natin na may maabutan ng sidwa sa karagatan at magkaroon din ng mga stranded na biyaheros diyan sa mga ports po natin,” Timbal continued.
(Part of the preparations is to have travel suspension on inter-island sea travels in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Caraga to prevent sea accidents and stranded passengers in ports.)
The government on Monday said it is preparing for the anticipated onslaught of Odette and assured the public it is closely monitoring the situation.
RELATED STORIES
Local and regional disaster agencies told to prepare for tropical storm
NTC orders telcos to provide free call, charging stations amid ‘Odette’