Northern Samar braces for La Niña in last quarter of 2020
TACLOBAN City - The provincial government of Northern Samar is urging the public to get ready for La Niña, which is expected to be felt in the last quarter this year.

La Niña is a weather phenomenon that brings a heavy volume of rains, accompanied by floods and landslides.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Rei Echano, in an interview, said that Governor Edwin Ongchuan and the PDRRMC have been giving special attention to the flood-prone areas in the province as they brace for other extreme impacts of climate change such typhoons, storm surges, and stronger local thunderstorms.
He added that disaster response elements have already been directed to daily monitor the impacts of La Niña.
The local government units (LGUs) were also advised to set their evacuation centers and facilities primed for any bad weather amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The official further urged residents in low-lying areas to be alert in their own homes and keep their "Go Bags" ready.
"While we are at full throttle in relation to COVID-19 emergency response, we must not lose sight at the fact that we will be confronting twin weather events in La Nina in the midst of historically determined typhoon season of the year. Everybody must brace to respond to these looming challenges." Echano added.
In December last year, Typhoon Tisoy left at least 3 dead in the province, more than 38,000 houses damaged, while almost 4,000 houses were washed out.
About P174-million worth of damage on infrastructure was reported due to landslides and floodings.
Northern Samar’s agricultural and fishery sectors also sustained over P162 million worth of damages.
In 2018, Tropical Depression Usman dumped 300 millimeters of water in just 10 hours of rain in its capital town, Catarman, the highest water level recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in 20 years.
The flooding and heavy rains left at least P35 million damage to agriculture and P62.7 million worth of infrastructure in the province.