Caraga residents warned vs flood, landslide amid heavy rain due to LPA

Undaunted by the rains, residents cross a street corner in Butuan City. Photo by ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has issued a general flood warning advisory for the five provinces of Caraga Region as a low pressure area (LPA) is expected to dump moderate to heavy rains over those areas.

The Pagasa weather station in Butuan City said the LPA was spotted 405 kilometers east of Hinatuan in Surigao del Sur around 3:30 a.m. of November 12. It also noted the presence of the tail end of a cold front.

In its 12-hour rainfall forecast, Pagasa said moderate to occasionally heavy rains can affect rivers and tributaries in Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Island.

Pagasa cautioned people living near mountain slopes and in low lying areas against possible landslide and flood; and advised local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to take necessary precautionary measures.

“Based on what we have monitored, the rain started at 1:45 in the morning, and still raining until now at around 1:00 in the afternoon. But we have noticed that the intensity has slowly slowed down. But we cannot be too complacent as the intensity of the rainfall varies from one area to another,” said Lolita L. Vinalay, chief meteorological officer of PAGASA Weather Station Butuan.

“This rain is brought about by the cloud cluster that are connected to the trough of the low pressure area. A Trough is an extension of a LPA where a tropical cyclone can form,” Vinalay explained.

Liza Maso, regional director of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Caraga revealed that their office and the Regional DRRMC are on heightened alert.

“Caraga Region is experiencing heavy rains due to LPA that may last for a few days. The RDRRMC is (on) heightened alert and advisories are sent out through the Local DRRMOs. The public is warned against flooding, flashfloods, and landslides,” Maso said.

“This is the time of the year between November to December that the region usually experiences flooding and landslides and that is why everyone should be vigilant and should continue to monitor the situation,” she added.   /kga