- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Emergency Operations Center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in Western Visayas is now on Red Alert as Severe Tropical Storm “Egay” further intensified, with several areas in the Visayas and Luzon placed under Signal No. 1.
The 24/7 Emergency Operations Center of the RDRRMC6 raised its alert status to red effective July 22, and activated Charlie protocol, the highest among four levels of Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR), in preparation for the possible onslaught of “Egay” in Western Visayas, the Office of Civil Defense said July 23.
Under Charlie protocol, advisories and warnings on latest weather bulletin will be regularly issued, preemptive or forced evacuation, work and class suspension, as well as travel suspension/restriction possible, resources and logistics prepositioned, and search, rescue and retrieval clusters activated and on standby.
Bravo protocol, or the second highest EPR, was activated in Negros Occidental, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo, while the Alpha protocol is in effect over Bacolod, Aklan, Guimaras, and Iloilo City, the OCD said.
All local DRRM councils in the region are directed to closely monitor their respective area of responsibility, submit situation reports to RDRRMC VI EOC, and strengthen coordination with the RDRRMC6 member agencies, it said as it advised the public to remain vigilant and to monitor weather updates.
Initial report released by the RDRRMC6 Sunday showed that, in Negros Occidental, some 2,353 families or 7,662 persons, have been affected by floods due to torrential rains in the 4th District, particularly in San Enrique and Pontevedra, as well as in Bago City, the Philippine News Agency reported.
A rockslide was reported in Hinoba-an town in the south, but no casualties were recorded and a clearing operation was already conducted, it added.
“Egay” is forecast to reach typhoon category within 24 hours, and may become a super typhoon on Tuesday, the PAGASA said in its advisory issued 5 p.m. July 23. “Rapid intensification is likely within the next 72 hours due to favorable atmospheric and oceanic conditions.”
Wind Signal 1 has been hoisted over the northern portion of Eastern Samar and the eastern portion of Northern Samar in the Visayas, as well as in Catanduanes, eastern portion of Camarines Sur, northern portion of Aurora, eastern portion of Isabela, and eastern portion of Cagayan in Luzon.
The center of “Egay” was estimated, based on all available data, at 560km east of Daet, Camarines Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, and gustiness of up to 135 km/h.
A gale warning is in effect over several coastal waters along the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Northeastern Mindanao. “Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts. Mariners without proper experience or operating ill-equipped vessels are advised to remain in port, or seek safe harbor.”/CGC
