The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) urged the public Tuesday, Dec. 14, to prepare for the onslaught of tropical storm “Odette” as 10,000 barangays were identified to be at-risk of its devastation.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting was conducted over the weekend to remind local DRRM offices in Visayas, Mindanao, and parts of Southern Luzon to be ready for Odette, especially in flood- and landslide-prone areas.
“Last Sunday even when typhoon Odette has yet to enter the Philippine Area of Repsonsibility, we already started the preparations in the NDRRMC. We have identified more than 10,000 barangays that are located in areas which could be possibly hit by the typhoon,” Timbal said in a “Laging Handa” presser.
“Its area of coverage are the Visayan Islands, Mindanao, and southern portions of Luzon,” he continued.
“We also issued alert warnings and reminders in local government units in Northern Luzon because they might also experience rain due to the sheer line that will be affected by typhoon Odette,” he added.
The NDRRMC official said local DRRM directors were directed to preposition relief items for possible victims, and prepare search and rescue as well as road clearing teams.
They were also instructed to coordinate with LGUs for the conduct of preemptive evacuation if it is deemed necessary.
The cancellation of land travel was also implemented Bicol Region (Region 5), Eastern Visayas (Region 8), and Caraga (Region 13) while a temporary travel suspension for sea vessels and watercrafts were issued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to mariners in Surigao del Norte, Timbal noted.
‘Simbang gabi’
Timbal also advised the public in risk areas to postpone their Christmas traditions including attending pre-dawn masses or “Simbang Gabi” which will start on Dec. 16.
“Listen to the advise of the local government officials. If evacuation is needed, follow their orders and if they say we should stay indoors, don’t go out because it would be too dangerous. You might get hit by flying debris,” he said.
Citing a projection of the Philippine Atmosphere, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Timbal said Odette will likely develop into a typhoon-grade packing a maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers when it enters the PAR between Tuesday and Wednesday.
It is expected to make landfall over Eastern Visayas or Caraga on Thursday.