Mindanao authorities step up preparations for ‘Onyok’

TAGUM CITY—Local authorities in several Mindanao provinces have stepped up preparations as Tropical Depression “Onyok” continues to churn toward the eastern side of Mindanao on Friday, bringing heavy to intense rains within its 100-kilometer radius.

The low-intensity storm has slightly changed course, however, and is expected to make landfall over the eastern coast of Davao Oriental by Friday evening as it further weakens into a low pressure area, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

August Galicha, chief meteorological officer of Pagasa Synoptic/Doppler Radar Station in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, said the northeasterly blowing over the region had pushed the tropical depression down south, which resulted in the shift of its expected landfall from Hinatuan.

As of 3 p.m., Onyok, with winds up to 55 kilometers per hour near the center, was located based on Doppler data at some 200 kilometers east of Baganga, in Davao Oriental, and was moving west at 20 kph, Galicha told Inquirer by mobile phone.

The weather disturbance, Galicha said, would further dissipate as it interacted with the northern Davao Oriental landmass.

In Compostela Valley, classes up to elementary level have been suspended and preemptive evacuations ordered particularly in mining areas that were susceptible to landslides, said Gov. Arturo Uy.

“We’re hoping for a zero casualty,” Uy told Inquirer by text message.

An incident command center was set up and relief packs and rescue equipment were also put on standby at the provincial disaster office in nearby Davao del Norte, as the provincial government on Thursday afternoon ordered the cancellation of classes in the pre-school level there.

Cloudy skies prevailed over Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental since Friday morning, as residents were getting updates about the incoming storm by radio and television.

“People are a bit concerned, especially that their harrowing experiences during ‘Pablo’ were still fresh in their minds,” said Dexter Visitacion, a resident in Compostela town, one of the hardest-hit municipalities in Compostela Valley when the strongest typhoon to hit the country slammed on Dec. 4, 2012.

In Baganga, residents near riverbanks also evacuated ahead of the incoming storm, said Fr. Darwey Clark, Baganga parish priest.

Ominous rain clouds hung over Lambajon village as villagers were advised to prepare for possible evacuation, said Clark. “Residents near the shore have been advised to move further inland.”

“The skies are already dark but there was little rain,” said Mera Ching, village chief of Ban-ao, one of Baganga’s communities facing the Pacific Ocean.