Over 1,200 persons evacuate in Albay town as ‘Nika’ threatens Bicol

INQUIRER FILES

LEGAZPI CITY — More than 1,200 persons were evacuated on Sunday, November 10, in Libon town in Albay in anticipation of heavy rains brought by the Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” (international name: Toraji).

Ian James Secillano, head of municipal disaster risk reduction and management office, said as of 12 noon, 359 families or 1,285 persons from eight villages were sheltered in government facilities while six families or 13 individuals were moved to private houses.

Secillano said most of the families from the villages of Pantao, San Vicente and Sta. Cruz were evacuated since Oct. 21 when Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami) caused widespread flooding in the province and the neighboring province of Camarines Sur.

The local government implemented the preemptive evacuation beginning Saturday, November 9, due to expected heavy rains as Nika maintains its strength.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and the northeastern portion of Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu).

Disaster management teams in Camarines Sur also started on Sunday morning the mandatory evacuation of families living in high-risk areas.