Forced evacuation of residents in 1,625 barangays ordered

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Thursday ordered the forced evacuation of residents in 1,625 barangays considered as critical areas prone to landslide and flooding due to Tropical Storm “Vinta” (international name Tembin).

“The Regional DRRM councils and NDRRMC member-agencies are hereby directed to activate the local DRRMCs for early warning measures and monitor settlements in areas identified as very high/critical landslide areas as well as settlements in low-lying areas or near riverbanks which have experienced recent and repeated flooding,” a memorandum from the NDRRMC said.

Areas identified as highly-susceptible to landslide are:

Cagayan

Isabela

Occidental Mindoro

Cebu

Eastern Samar

Samar

Northern Samar

Leyte

Biliran

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Capiz

Iloilo

Aklan

Negros Occidental

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Dinagat Islands

Areas identified as very highly susceptible to landslide are:

Albay

Camarines Sur

Sorsogon

Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Iloilo

Negros Occidental

Eastern Samar

Leyte

Northern Samar

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

High susceptibility to flooding:

Quezon

Oriental Mindoro

Albay

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Sorsogon

Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Iloilo

Negros Occidental

Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Leyte

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sur

Very high susceptibility to flooding:

Albay

Sorsogon

Catanduanes

Camarines Sur

Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Iloilo

Negros Occidental

Eastern Samar

Northern Samar

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Agusan del Norte

Agusan del Sur

Surigao del Norte

Surigao del Sir

Dinagat Islands

Vinta grew stronger Thursday afternoon ahead of its expected landfall in Surigao del Sur late evening to early Friday.