CamSur orders evacuation due to Luis
LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY, Philippines — The Camarines Sur provincial government has placed the entire province under red alert status and ordered preemptive evacuations as Tropical Depression Luis threatens the Bicol Region.
Gov. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte Jr. said the red alert, which took effect on Saturday, aims to ensure the full mobilization of emergency response operations across the province.
Under the directive, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), local disaster response teams and emergency operations centers have been placed on 24-hour monitoring and standby for possible rescue and relief operations.
READ: TD Luis update: Signal No. 1 still up over 4 areas in Luzon
Villafuerte ordered local government units to implement preemptive and, when necessary, forced evacuations of residents living in flood-, landslide- and other hazard-prone areas.
“Forced evacuation shall be conducted in areas facing imminent threat,” Villafuerte said in his directive.
Sea trips halted
The provincial government also suspended water-related recreational activities, including swimming and island hopping and imposed a strict “No Swimming” and “No Crossing” policy in swollen rivers, creeks and other waterways to prevent accidents.
READ: TD Luis strands 356 passengers in Bicol
Fisherfolk and operators of small boats were advised not to venture into the sea, rivers and lakes until weather conditions improve.
Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur due to rough weather conditions.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration placed Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, the Polillo Islands and the northern portion of Camarines Sur—including Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Tigaon and Calabanga—under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.
In northern Quezon, 14 vessels and motorized boats were stranded at various ports amid rough seas. —WITH A REPORT FROM DELFIN T. MALLARI JR.
