CEBU, Philippines — Several families were evacuated preemptively while others failed to reach home as sea trips were cancelled as Cebu started feeling the effects of Tropical Storm Auring Saturday.
Yesterday, Cebu Province was placed on red alert status. This means all responders, uniformed personnel, and reservists are ready to be deployed. The provincial and district hospitals have also been placed on code white, which means all medical personnel are on full alert.
Personnel of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and the 131st Battalion of the Philippine Marines underwent orientation on rescue trucks and equipment that will be used in responding to emergencies.
Evacuations were carried out by towns in the province’s north expected to be affected by the storm.
Based on records from PDRRMO, 62 families living in Isla Verde in Danao City were brought to the mainland by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard yesterday afternoon.
In Daanbantayan, residents in coastal areas in Barangay Poblacion were also evacuated to the town’s high school.
Meanwhile, at least 165 passengers were stranded at different ports in Cebu Island – 37 passengers at the port of San Remigio town heading to Santa Fe; 33 passengers in Danao City heading to Camotes Island; and 21 passengers and 70 drivers and crew members in Santander town bound for Negros Island; three in Daanbantayan; and one in Bogo City.
The passengers that got stranded in Danao were housed at the city’s elementary school.
Forty-three vehicles returned to their place of origin.
The Municipality of Madridejos in Bantayan Island has prepared its schools as evacuation centers. Its neighbor, the Municipality of Santa Fe, readied relief goods to fishermen whose livelihood may be affected by the storm, as well as for those who may have to be evacuated from their homes.
As a preemptive move, the Manipis Road, the access road from Talisay City to Toledo City, was closed to all vehicles starting midnight Saturday.
Badian town in the south also cancelled public activities and tourism activities like canyoneering and trekking.
No untoward incidents were reported, except for trees that got toppled in Barangay San Roque in Ginatilan town, which damaged a house and in Barangay Guinsay in Danao City that blocked a road. No one was reported injured.
PAGASA forecast
Yesterday afternoon, PAGASA said light to moderate with heavy rains, at times, will be experienced in the Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Quezon, and Caraga today.
The Visayas can also expect the same weather conditions on Monday, February 22, 2021.
Auring is forecast to continue moving generally northwestward throughout the forecast period. Its center is forecast to make landfall over the Dinagat-Homonhon-Leyte area on Sunday night or Monday morning then cross Visayas and MIMAROPA.
“Auring is more likely to weaken to tropical depression before it makes a landfall over Caraga. It is likely further weaken to low pressure area by Monday due to significant terrain interaction and persistent vertical wind shear during this passage over the archipelago,” the weather bureau said.
Still, Central Visayas residents were warned of possible floods and rain-induced landslides.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised in the Visayas yesterday as around 30 to 60 kilometers per hour (kph) of wind can be expected for next 36 hours until today.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said strong force winds are expected to affect the seaboard s of Northern, Eastern, and Southern and Western Luzon, as well as in the seaboards of Northern Mindanao and Visayas, which includes Cebu.
Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against wig waves, PAGASA said.
Geohazard
Yesterday, too, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 urged local government officials of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor to refer to the geohazard maps the bureau has provided to them that show the flood- and landslide-prone areas in their respective localities.
“Our ultimate goal is zero casualty. The geohazard maps can greatly help and guide our officials to conduct appropriate precautionary measures to achieve that,” said Armando Malicse, MGB-7 OIC regional director, in a statement.
MGB-7 also urged residents in high-risk areas such as coastlines, near riverbanks and steep slopes to follow advisories on possible evacuation from their mayors or barangay officials to avoid casualties.- Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMO (FREEMAN)