Albay governor orders immediate evacuation of residents to be affected by 'Ulysses'
By Niño Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chairman and governor Al Francis Bichara ordered the immediate evacuation on Tuesday, November 10, of residents, who could be adversely affected by tropical storm Ulysses.
Bichara said in his advisory that all vulnerable populations threatened by flood, landslide, lahar, storm surge and wind should be evacuated to any of public or private evacuation centers, and this should be completed by daytime on Tuesday.
Early dismissal of work on Wednesday was also ordered, including suspension of operation in malls and other businesses.
Sailing of any type of sea craft was also prohibited.
Tiwi Mayor Jaime Villanueva said that at least 60,000 individuals in his municipality will be evacuated starting Wednesday morning.
These residents are most vulnerable to landslides, flooding and even flash floods.
“We are worried because, dinaanan na tayo ng bagyong “Quinta”, dinaanan pa tayo ng bagyong “Rolly” at ngayon parating naman si “Ulysses. Malambot na yung lupa kung kaya posible ang pagguho ng lupa,” he told the Manila Bulletin.
During the onslaught of super typhoon “Rolly”, the province of Albay recorded at least 13 deaths due to lahar flow and drowning.
Meanwhile, the Bicol Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) has extended the “Red Alert” status due to “Ulysses”.