Negros Occidental and northern and central portions of Negros Oriental are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 today, Oct. 4, due to tropical depression “Lannie”, PAGASA said in its weather bulletin.
At 3 a.m. today, the center of tropical depression “LANNIE” was estimated at 110 km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h. It is moving Northwestward at 20 km/h.
The TCWS is now in effect in Negros Occidental, northern and central portions of Negros Oriental, including Bais City, Mabinay, City of Bayawan, Basay, City of Tanjay, Manjuyod, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tayasan, Jimalalud, La Libertad, City of Guihulngan, Vallehermoso and Canlaon City.
Yesterday, Western Visayas was placed under medium risk in preparation for the possible effects of Lannie.
In the pre-disaster and risk assessment core group meeting yesterday afternoon, the PDRA analyst group recommended that Region VI will be placed under medium risk along with regions IVB, V, VII, IX, X, XI, XII, CARAGA, and CALABARZON to avoid or mitigate casualty or any eventuality.
Under the medium risk classification, the Alpha Protocol should be implemented, the Office of the Civil Defense 6 said in an advisory.
The protocol includes the dissemination of OCD of warning messages, advisories and relevant directives; initiation of succeeding PDRA and other emergency meetings as needed; and the direction to DRRMC member agencies to anticipate response for any eventuality.
NDRRMC executive director and Civil Defense administrator, Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad, stressed the importance of preparing for possible worst-case scenarios and the active cascading of information to LGUs, DRRMCs, and the media to lessen the possible casualty and eventuality.
OCD 6 and Regional Task Force 6 chairman, Jose Roberto Nuñez, who led the Emergency Operations Center in the meeting, reiterated to the public the importance of preparation and immediate response in disasters amidst the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nuñez also appealed for everyone to stay alert and resilient. | NND
