Bulacan starts evacuation of residents ahead of Pepito

INQUIRER FILES

CITY OF MALOLOS — Evacuation of residents in low-lying and coastal areas in Bulacan have started on Saturday, November 16, in preparation for the expected effects of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name: Man-yi).

Governor Daniel Fernando, chairman of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), ordered the pre-emptive evacuation of residents in coastal areas in Obando town and in the landslide prone areas in Norzagaray, Doña Remedios Trinidad (DRT), Angat, San Miguel and other hilly and elevated towns during an emergency meeting in anticipation of Pepito, which is expected to hit Central Luzon on Sunday, November 17.

Fernando also tasked all the disaster response offices in the coastal towns of Calumpit, Hagonoy, Bulakan, Paombong and the City of Malolos to enforce pre-emptive evacuation of their own residents living near the river and in island barangays.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Pepito

Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management Officer Manuel Lukban Jr. told Inquirer that they have yet to determine the number of families and individuals evacuated in Obando.

In Calumpit, 44 individuals from 15 families in Barangay Meysulao are already on standby for pre-emptive evacuation to Meysulao Multi-Purpose Hall.

The rest of the towns and cities have also prepositioned their respective rescue personnel and their equipment including relief packs, their respective city and municipal disaster risk reduction management officers informed the governor.

READ: Pagasa warns: Pepito a very dangerous cyclone

Fernando also ordered a full stop of fishing activities in the coastal areas. During Severe Tropical Storm “Kristine” (international name: Trami), a fisherman in Obando town died after braving the heavy rains and wind to catch fish in Manila Bay and Obando waters.

Bulacan rescue teams also safely rescued two fishermen from Limay, Bataan at the height of Kristine last month.

Fernando also ordered a possible pre-emptive release of waters in the three dams – Angat, Ipo and Bustos – to prevent a simultaneous release during the height of the heavy downpour that would further mitigated flooding in the low-lying areas of Bulacan.

Since Friday, November 15, Bustos dam has been at 17. 18 meters elevation against its 17.30 meters spilling level has been releasing 22 cubic meter per second (cms).

Angat dam was at 201.04 meters above sea level (masl) compared with its 214.00 meters flood season high level while Ipo dam was at 100.22 meters compared with its 101.00 meters spilling level.