ANTIQUE – Antiqueños should prepare for a tropical cyclone (international name: “Rai”) which intensified into a severe tropical storm ahead of its entry to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Don’t set out to sea, just stay at home and monitor weather updates, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao told Antiqueños.
In its bulletin issued at 11 a.m. yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Rai” was last spotted 1,165 kilometers East of Mindanao. It was moving west northwestward “while gradually intensifying.”
“Rai” will be named “Odette” when it enters the PAR on Wednesday, according to Pagasa.
Cadiao said the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) are monitoring the situation in 18 towns.
“The PDRRMC is ready. Mayroon na kaming preparation. Lahat on standby,” Cadiao told Panay News.
“Odette” is forecast to strengthen into a typhoon by Wednesday before making landfall in the vicinity of CARAGA or Eastern Visayas on Thursday afternoon or evening. A pre-landfall is also expected in the morning or afternoon of Dec. 16.
“We are just praying nga indi matamaan kami ng husto dito sa Antique,” said Cadiao.
The PDRRMC reminded local disaster councils to preposition their logistics for rescue operations, prepare evacuation centers and food packs for displaced families.
Cadiao said barangay officials also encouraged residents in landslide- and flood-prone areas to evacuate if necessary.
“Sa mga fishermen natin better stay at home. And, sa mga residents natin sa mga areas sa dagat kag suba please be on alert and evacuate if needed,” said Cadiao.
In case of brownouts, Cadiao said, barangays may use their power generator sets recently distributed by the provincial government.
According to Pagasa, Visayas and Mindanao will experience heavy to torrential rains. These areas are also “highly” likely to be placed under tropical cyclone wind signals as high as Signal No. 3.
Cadiao reminded residents to stock on food and drinking water, prepare flashlights and charge their mobile phones./PN