‘Urduja’ likely to become storm; LPA before Christmas looms

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said that Tropical Depression “Urduja” is likely to become a storm as it makes it landfall on either Friday evening or early Saturday morning, as it urged the public to make the necessary precaution.

OCD administrator Ricardo Jalad also said in a news conference that the state weather bureau has monitored a low pressure area that could likely enter the country’s area of responsibility shortly before Christmas Day. The weather disturbance will be called “Vinta.”

In the meantime, “Urduja” as well as the tail end of a cold front are expected to bring rains over Visayas and Bicol, which could trigger flooding and landslides.

Jalad said advisories have been sent out to the OCD regional offices and the local government units to allow them to “scale up their preparedness”.

Jalad said “Vinta” is expected to make landfall on December 22, which could possibly affect Sorsogon and Northern Samar.

“There might be cancellation of boat trips. We hope travelers would understand, those who are planning their trips, because they might be stranded just like what happened last year,” Jalad said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also said that the 4th Quarter Nationwide Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) will push through on Friday.

It will be held at San Jose del Monte in Bulacan at 2pm.  “Local drills will be conducted nationwide through the Regional DRRM Councils,” the NDRRMC said.