Homeowners urged to check houses for structural damage after Glenda

INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded residents displaced by typhoon “Glenda” (Rammasun) on Wednesday to check their homes for structural damage before re-entering them.

PNP Director General Alan Purisima also directed all police units to closely coordinate and support the local government units and local disaster response officials in assisting families affected by the seventh weather disturbance to hit the country in 2014.

“All police units have been advised by the national headquarters to conduct round-the-clock patrol of residential areas damaged by the typhoon to prevent looters or thieves from taking advantage of the situation,” said Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, PNP spokesman.

“(Purisima) also ordered police personnel to complement the efforts of the local government officials to help typhoon victims quickly recover from typhoon ‘Glenda,'” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer over the phone.

As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said close to 500,000 individuals were affected by the typhoon in almost 400 barangays (villages) across the country.

Sindac said police teams with appropriate equipment and supplies had been deployed in disaster-prone areas in the eastern portions of Luzon and the Visayas a few days before Glenda made a landfall in the Bicol region on Tuesday.

In a statement, Purisima said occupants of houses and other residential buildings, which were affected by the floods and violent winds brought by the typhoon should ensure that the structures were already stable before staying indoors.

“Examine your houses and repair unstable parts as much as possible,” the PNP chief said.

“Beware of poisonous animals like snakes, which may have entered your house,” he warned.

As a safety precaution, he said individuals who have decided to return to their flooded houses must check out first the damaged electrical appliances and electrical wiring, which could cause electrocution.

Purisima also warned typhoon victims against using appliances which were submerged in floodwater as these might trigger electrical short circuit that could lead to fire.

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