Christmas in evacuation centers for thousands as Nina intensifies

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – Over 200,000 families in Albay will celebrate Christmas in evacuation centers as severe Tropical Storm Nina is expected to make landfall over the Bicol region tomorrow.

As of 10 a.m. yesterday, Nina was spotted at 790 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Nina is expected to intensify into a typhoon before slamming into Southern Luzon provinces, PAGASA weather forecaster Chris Perez said.

With maximum sustained winds of up to 105 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 130 kph, Nina was moving west northwest at a speed of 25 kph.

The Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) ordered the evacuation of 207,774 families starting today.

PDRRMC operations officer Cedric Daep said heavy rains could cause flooding in 487 barangays, landslide in 211 barangays, lahar in 71 barangays, storm surge in 161 coastal barangays in Albay.

“We are anticipating a worse-case scenario so we ordered the evacuation of the residents to achieve zero casualty,” Daep said.

Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara has ordered concerned government agencies to prepare for Nina’s landfall.

Camarines Sur Gov. Migs Villafuerte placed the province on blue alert.

Cyclone signals   

The weather bureau was expected to raise cyclone signals in Bicol and Samar areas yesterday afternoon or evening.

Perez said Nina’s winds are capable of toppling structures and trees.

It is also expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over the Bicol region, the rest of Southern Luzon including Metro Manila, as well as Bataan, Pampanga and Tarlac in Central Luzon.

Residents in coastal villages in Quezon, Bicol and Samar were warned against possible storm surges.

Nina is projected to exit the Philippines by Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Nina is the 14th tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines this year.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) expressed readiness for the possible effects of Nina.

The NDRRMC said sea travel is risky over the northern seaboard of Northern and Central Luzon due to the northeast monsoon.

The NDRRMC said the Department of the Interior and Local Government has issued warnings to local government units to brace for Nina.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said they have prepared relief packs for distribution to affected residents.

The Department of Health has prepared the necessary medical items and equipment.

The NDRRMC advised the public to heed the advise of local government units and monitor weather updates through radio, television and social media.

Australia issues advisory

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued an advisory for its nationals in the country in connection with Tropical Storm Nina.

“Expect strong winds, heavy rains and storm surges in coastal areas. Transport and public services may be affected. Monitor local weather and media reports for latest information and follow instructions of local authorities,” the DFAT said. 

The DFAT advised Australians in the country to be on alert.

Power supply

The Department of Energy (DOE) assured the public that measures were in place to ensure continued power supply during the onslaught of Nina this Christmas weekend.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi asked the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and National Electrification Administration to brace for Nina, which is expected to topple power facilities.

“The Task Force Kapatid will be ready for easy mobilization of assets even during the holidays,” Cusi said.

The NGCP said it has implemented measures to minimize the impact of Nina on transmission facilities.

NGCP’s overall disaster command center monitors power restoration activities and updates from the Regional Command Centers in northern and southern Luzon and the Visayas.

Preparations included ensuring the reliability of communications equipment, availability of hardware materials and supplies for the repair of damaged facilities, as well as the positioning of line crews in strategic areas to facilitate immediate restoration works.

The DOE alerted power distributors and electric cooperatives, especially those within the projected track of the storm, to coordinate with government agencies and local government units.

“We should not downplay the possible impact of Nina. We have to ensure that transmission facilities are operational before, during and even after the storm,” Cusi said.

Personnel of the Manila Electric Co. are on standby for immediate response to power outages in areas that might be hit by the typhoon, Meralco public information office head Joe Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco urged billboard owners and operators to take down their billboards to prevent these structures from being toppled by strong winds.

Zaldarriaga asked the public to keep all channels of communication, such as mobile phones and radios, open.

Customers may text their concerns to 0920-9716211, 0917-5516211, 0925-7716211 or visit Meralco’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account for regular updates.  – With Michael Punongbayan, Danessa Rivera, Rainier Allan Ronda